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GLENDALE, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 2, 2026 — A four-vehicle crash blocked lanes on westbound State Route 134 near Brand Boulevard on Thursday afternoon, October 1, after a vehicle was reported traveling the wrong way, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The initial report described four vehicles involved in a collision blocking the carpool and fast lanes of westbound SR-134 just east of Brand Boulevard. Within minutes, callers reported one vehicle facing the wrong way and blocking the carpool and number two lanes, according to dispatch logs. The agency's classification of the incident was later updated to reflect a report of injuries.
Glendale Fire Department units responded to the scene. People reportedly were out of their vehicles in the travel lanes, prompting a freeway service patrol notification, though the condition and number of those hurt have not been released. A tow truck was requested to help clear the scene; at least one contracted company reported it could not meet the response time, and an alternate was sought.
The California Highway Patrol has not released details on what led to the wrong-way driving report, nor confirmed how many people were injured. The crash remains under investigation.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
A Common Misconception About Wrong-Way Crashes
Many drivers assume wrong-way crashes are mostly the result of confused or elderly drivers missing an exit sign. The data tells a different story more often than people expect.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, alcohol-impaired drivers had a higher risk of fatal wrong-way crashes on divided highways from 2014 through 2023. That means impairment, not simple navigation error, is a recurring factor behind these events on freeways and expressways.
This doesn't mean every wrong-way report involves an impaired driver. But it does mean that treating these crashes as random wrong turns, rather than looking closely at driver conditions, overlooks a pattern that investigators and highway engineers have tracked for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does alcohol play a role in wrong-way crashes?
Research has repeatedly linked impaired driving to a higher risk of wrong-way crashes on divided highways, particularly those resulting in deaths.
Are wrong-way crashes more common on certain roads?
They tend to cluster on freeways and divided highways with ramps, interchanges, or median crossovers where a driver can enter against the flow of traffic.
What causes wrong-way crashes?
Causes vary and can include impairment, driver confusion at interchanges, poor signage, or driving at night when wrong-way entries are harder to spot.
Why are wrong-way crashes so often serious?
They typically involve a head-on impact between vehicles closing at combined highway speeds, which increases the chance of serious injury compared with other crash types.
What to Do After a Wrong-Way Crash in Glendale, CA
If you're involved in or witness a wrong-way crash, call 911 immediately and move to a safe location away from traffic if possible. Turn on hazard lights and avoid standing in active lanes, as freeway shoulders and carpool lanes pose an ongoing risk from passing traffic.
Anyone involved should seek a medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain from impact, and some injuries do not show symptoms right away.
Cooperate with responding officers and provide an honest account of what you saw or experienced. If the California Highway Patrol or local police file a report, request a copy for your records, and follow up with insurance promptly. Glendale residents can also contact the CHP for updates on reports related to incidents on state routes such as SR-134.
