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HAWTHORNE, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 10, 2026 — At least one person was reportedly injured in a multi-vehicle crash on Thursday night, October 8, on northbound I-405 near Rosecrans Avenue in Hawthorne. Several vehicles were involved, and the crash blocked multiple lanes of the freeway for part of the evening.
The California Highway Patrol said the collision was first reported shortly before 9:30 p.m. as involving a silver Honda CR-V and another vehicle partially blocking a slow lane. Within minutes, additional vehicles were reported involved, including a black Toyota Camry, a light blue sedan and a white Mercedes-Benz sedan. A white Honda SUV was also reported among at least three vehicles blocking middle lanes of the freeway.
Officers on scene described one vehicle stopped sideways in a lane and another resting on the right shoulder, with additional vehicles blocking the number 4 and 5 lanes. Traffic backed up heavily in the area as units worked to clear wreckage, and the agency noted at one point that drivers wanting to reach the scene would need to turn around near Inglewood because of the congestion.
The CHP later upgraded the incident from a non-injury collision to one involving at least one injury requiring medical response. Tow trucks were requested to remove disabled vehicles, and lanes reopened in stages before the roadway was confirmed fully clear after 10:30 p.m.
No further details on the injured person's condition or the cause of the crash have been released. The California Highway Patrol has not said whether any citations will result from its investigation.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
A Common Misconception About Multi-Vehicle Freeway Crashes
Many drivers assume a pileup on a freeway means one driver made an obvious, serious mistake, like running a red light or driving drunk. In practice, most multi-vehicle crashes on highways start smaller: a single fender-bender or a car that comes to an unexpected stop, followed by a chain reaction as other drivers run out of room to react.
That chain reaction is usually where the real harm happens. A vehicle stopped or stalled in a travel lane, even briefly, creates a hazard that following drivers may not see in time, especially at night or in heavy traffic. The damage from the second, third or fourth impact can be worse than the first.
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 is a reminder that the people most exposed in a roadway incident are not always inside a car, among them pedestrians, motorcyclists and people standing near disabled vehicles on a shoulder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does following distance matter so much on freeways?
Extra space between vehicles gives drivers time to react if traffic ahead slows or stops suddenly. On a crowded freeway, a short following distance can turn a minor slowdown into a chain-reaction crash.
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck?
Yes. Once a crash blocks a lane or draws drivers' attention, following traffic is at higher risk of a second collision, particularly if the scene isn't marked or traffic hasn't slowed in time.
What makes multi-vehicle crashes difficult to investigate?
Investigators have to determine the sequence of impacts among several vehicles, sometimes using damage patterns, witness accounts, and any available video, which can take longer than piecing together a two-car crash.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Hawthorne, CA
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, try to move to a safe area, such as a shoulder, and turn on hazard lights if your vehicle is drivable. Call 911 and wait for a law enforcement response so the incident can be documented.
Even if you feel fine, consider a medical evaluation soon after, since some injuries like whiplash or internal bruising aren't obvious right away. Exchange information with other drivers and, when safe, take photos of vehicle positions and damage before cars are moved or towed.
Keep a copy of the police report once it's available, and follow up with your insurance company promptly. In a crash involving several vehicles, it can take time for investigators to sort out what happened, so patience with the process is helpful.
