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IRWINDALE, Los Angeles County, Calif., Nov. 9, 2026 — A person died early on Sunday morning, November 8, after a car collided with a semi-truck on northbound I-605 near the I-210 interchange, according to the California Highway Patrol. The car caught fire and became lodged beneath the truck's trailer.
The crash was reported shortly after 2 a.m. near the connector from northbound I-605 to eastbound I-210. A caller who saw the wreck from the southbound side of I-605 near Live Oak Avenue told dispatchers a dark colored BMW had struck the semi and was burning, prompting a request for Los Angeles County Fire Department crews to respond.
Dispatch notes indicate the BMW had no visible occupants outside the vehicle and was pinned under the trailer as the fire spread, with part of the trailer also catching fire at one point. Debris from the crash covered the roadway, and the report suggests the truck's trailer may have dragged the car into a nearby structure in the area of the transition road. The log does not specify how many people were in the car or confirm a cause of death, and the CHP has not released names or ages.
Caltrans crews closed the connector from northbound I-605 to eastbound I-210 for several hours as crews worked the scene, diverting traffic onto westbound I-210, the log shows. CHP units also worked to stop several vehicles attempting to turn around on the closed freeway near Live Oak Avenue, and one dark sedan was reported driving the wrong way before making a U-turn, which officers noted as a reckless driving violation. Heavy-duty tow trucks were called to remove the big rig's roughly 30,000-pound trailer, with one towing company reporting it lacked the equipment to move the vehicle and a second company brought in to assist. The CHP has not said what caused the semi-truck and car to collide, and the incident remains under investigation.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Intersection Crashes in California
This fatal crash happened at I-605 and Live Oak Avenue in Irwindale, CA. Our California intersections page covers intersection crashes across California.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers share the road with trucks safely? Keep extra distance from semi-trucks, avoid lingering in blind spots alongside the cab and trailer, and pass on the left with plenty of room before merging back in.
Does driver fatigue play a role in truck crashes? Fatigue is a known factor in many commercial truck collisions, especially during overnight and early morning hours when a driver's alertness naturally dips.
What should I do after a crash involving a commercial truck? Move to a safe location if possible, call 911, and let law enforcement document the scene; a truck crash report typically involves the investigating agency and sometimes the carrier's insurer.
Why do trucks need so much distance to stop? Loaded trailers carry far more weight than passenger vehicles, so they require a much longer distance to slow down or stop, especially at highway speeds.
