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COMMERCE, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 18, 2026 — A hit-and-run crash involving a semi-truck injured at least one person on Thursday evening, September 17, on southbound Interstate 710 near the East Washington Boulevard offramp in Commerce.
The California Highway Patrol received reports of a collision on the SB 710 just north of Washington shortly after 7 p.m. A small passenger vehicle was reportedly involved along with a semi-truck with a blue cab pulling a trailer, according to radio traffic reviewed by dispatchers. The driver of the smaller vehicle was reported to be on the roadside following the crash.
A person driving a white Ford F-150 stopped near the scene, though it was not immediately clear whether that vehicle was blocking traffic, and the driver reportedly did not answer questions from dispatchers or responding units, authorities said. Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel were sent to the scene, and callers reported hearing what was described as a fire, according to radio traffic.
Traffic backed up heavily in the area as crews worked the scene, and a tow truck was called to remove wreckage, according to CHP logs. All lanes had reopened by 8 p.m.
The CHP is still working to identify the driver or vehicle that left the scene. No arrests had been announced as of Friday morning. The extent of the injuries reported has not been released.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
When Hit-and-Run Crashes Involving Trucks Are Most Likely
Hit-and-run collisions on freeways tend to cluster in the evening and overnight hours, when traffic thins out, but speeds pick up. Drivers who cause a crash in heavy daytime traffic have witnesses on all sides; at night, on a freeway ramp or transition lane, there's usually no one close enough to get a plate number before a vehicle merges back into traffic and disappears.
Fatigue and reduced visibility both play a role after dark. Truck drivers on long-haul routes are more likely to be nearing the end of a shift in the evening hours, and passenger vehicles merging near ramps have less time to react when lighting is poor. Alcohol and drug impairment also rise in the evening and weekend hours, which can factor into a driver's decision to flee rather than stop.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 200,000 vehicle occupants were injured in hit-and-run crashes in 2023. Freeway ramps and merge points, where lane changes happen fast and following distances shrink, are common sites for these collisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partially or fully beneath a truck's trailer during a collision, sometimes causing severe damage to the top of the smaller vehicle's cabin.
What are common causes of large-truck accidents?
Large-truck crashes are frequently linked to driver fatigue, following too closely, blind spots, mechanical failure, or another driver merging unsafely near a truck.
How can drivers share the road with trucks safely?
Give trucks extra following distance, avoid lingering in their blind spots, and pass fully before merging back in front of them, since trucks need more time and space to stop or react.
Does driver fatigue contribute to truck crashes?
Yes. Long hours behind the wheel, especially on overnight or evening routes, can slow reaction times and increase the chance of a crash.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Commerce, CA
If you're involved in a hit-and-run, try to move to a safe location and call 911 as soon as possible. Note anything you can about the other vehicle, such as color, type, or partial plate number; even a few details can help investigators later.
Seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor at first; some injuries from a collision don't show symptoms right away. File a report with local police or the CHP and ask for a copy for your records.
If you saw the crash happen, contacting the CHP with what you observed, even without a full license plate, can help move the investigation forward.
