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COVINA, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 — Several people were hurt Monday afternoon, September 21, when multiple vehicles collided at East Cienega Avenue and North Sunflower Avenue in Covina, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was initially reported as a three to four vehicle collision blocking lanes near the intersection, the California Highway Patrol said. A white pickup truck, a gray sedan and a white sedan were reportedly involved in one part of the collision, while a separate report described a white sedan, a silver sedan and a white pickup truck in another section of roadway, with debris scattered across the lanes. It remains unclear whether these were overlapping accounts of the same crash or distinct impacts within a larger chain of vehicles.
A white Toyota Tundra came to rest blocking the eastbound lanes, and a white Nissan Versa reportedly ended up blocking the number two northbound lane with major front-end damage, the CHP log shows. Firefighters were called to the scene and confirmed the involved vehicles had not rolled over, according to the report.
What began as a collision with injuries of unknown severity was later updated by the CHP to minor injuries. Tow trucks were requested for at least two vehicles, including the Tundra, which reportedly suffered damage to its rear axle, and the Versa. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
When Multi-Vehicle Pileups Are Most Likely to Happen
Multi-vehicle crashes tend to cluster around predictable stretches of the day. Weekday afternoons, especially the stretch between 3 and 6 p.m., see some of the heaviest traffic volumes as commuters, school pickups and delivery vehicles all compete for the same lanes at once. More cars moving at closer following distances means less time for any one driver to react when something goes wrong ahead.
Visibility and driver fatigue shift with the seasons too. Shorter daylight hours in fall and winter push more of the evening commute into dusk or darkness, when depth perception and reaction times both suffer. Sun glare during certain times of day can have a similar effect, temporarily blinding drivers at the exact moment traffic slows or stops.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure includes pedestrians, cyclists and others caught up in crashes that started with vehicles alone, a reminder that pileups on ordinary roads can pull in more than just the drivers involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a chain-reaction crash?
Leaving extra space between vehicles and staying alert to brake lights several cars ahead gives drivers more time to slow down safely.
What should someone do if they're stopped near a crash on a busy road?
Turn on hazard lights, stay in the vehicle if it's not safe to exit, and watch for approaching traffic before stepping out, since secondary collisions are common near a fresh crash scene.
How much does poor visibility contribute to these crashes?
Fog, glare and low light all reduce the distance at which drivers can spot slowing traffic, which is part of why multi-vehicle crashes cluster at dusk, dawn and during bad weather.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Covina, CA
Anyone involved in a crash with several vehicles should first check themselves and any passengers for injuries before moving, if it's safe to do so. Getting a medical evaluation soon afterward matters even for people who feel fine at the scene, since some injuries from sudden stops or impacts don't show symptoms right away.
It also helps to document the scene: note where each vehicle ended up, take photos if possible, and get contact information from anyone else involved. Filing a report with local police or the California Highway Patrol creates an official record that can matter later, particularly in crashes involving several drivers where fault may not be immediately clear.
