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EXPOSITION PARK, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 20, 2026 — Three people were injured on Saturday afternoon, September 19, when a Los Angeles Police Department patrol car was involved in a crash in the Exposition Park area. Two of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals.
The crash happened at around 3:40 p.m. near the intersection of W. Exposition Boulevard and Western Avenue, police officials said. The vehicles involved reportedly included an LAPD patrol car, though further details on the other vehicle or vehicles have not been released.
Detectives said it is not yet clear what caused the collision. The conditions of the two people taken to hospitals were not immediately known, and it was not confirmed whether the third injured person required treatment at the scene or elsewhere.
The Los Angeles Police Department is expected to release additional details as the investigation continues. No further information on the people involved, including whether an officer was among the injured, had been made public as of this writing.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
How Investigators Piece Together a Police Vehicle Crash
When a patrol car is involved in a crash, the review process tends to run on two tracks at once. Patrol officers and a traffic investigations unit document the scene, measure skid marks and debris, and photograph vehicle damage, while a separate internal review looks at the officer's actions, speed, and whether any pursuit or emergency response was underway at the time.
That dual review is part of why answers can take time. A department typically will not confirm a cause until physical evidence, radio logs, and any onboard camera footage have been checked against witness accounts. If injuries are serious, a formal collision reconstruction may be ordered, which can take investigators weeks to complete.
Departments sometimes hold back names and specific injury details until they are confirmed and any notifications to family members are complete. That is standard practice across law enforcement agencies, not a sign that something is being withheld improperly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 6,138,359 police-reported traffic crashes occurred in 2023. Crashes involving emergency or patrol vehicles make up a small share of that total, but they typically draw added scrutiny because the vehicle is publicly owned and the response itself is part of what gets reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most car accidents happen?
Most crashes occur on urban roads and at intersections, where turning movements, cross traffic, and pedestrians all create points of conflict.
What injuries are common in car accidents?
Neck and back strain, broken bones, and head injuries are frequently reported, even in crashes that look minor from the outside. Anyone involved should be checked by a medical provider regardless of how they feel immediately afterward.
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
Distraction, speeding, and failure to yield are consistently cited as leading factors, along with poor visibility and road conditions in some cases.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Exposition Park, CA
Anyone involved in a crash should first check for injuries and call 911 if needed, even when pain doesn't show up right away. Staying at the scene until officers arrive and give clearance to leave is important, and getting the responding officer's name and report number can help later.
It's worth taking photos of the vehicles and surroundings if it's safe to do so, and exchanging information with anyone else involved. A follow-up visit to a doctor in the days after the crash is a good idea even for those who feel fine, since some injuries take time to show symptoms.
