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LONG BEACH, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 5, 2026 — One person was hurt Sunday afternoon, October 4, after a two-vehicle crash on E Del Amo Blvd near S Susana Rd in Long Beach, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash involved a white Kia and a black Honda and was reported shortly after 1 p.m. in the westbound lanes of Del Amo Boulevard, in front of a Smart & Final store, the California Highway Patrol said. Fire crews were dispatched to the scene along with CHP units, the agency's log shows.
One person was taken to Harbor (UCLA Medical Center), according to the dispatch log, though the extent of that person's injuries has not been released. The vehicle involved was transported along with the patient, per the report.
The California Highway Patrol said it would handle the investigation since the crash occurred in an unincorporated county area along Del Amo Boulevard. At least one damaged vehicle was towed from the scene, the log indicates. No further details on the cause of the crash have been released, and the investigation is ongoing.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
Why Do Crashes Keep Happening on Busy Boulevards?
Crashes on multi-lane commercial corridors, like the one along Del Amo Boulevard, often trace back to the same handful of driver conditions: a moment of inattention, misjudged timing when changing lanes or merging near a shopping center, or a driver who is simply too tired or impaired to react in time. Unlike highway crashes, these collisions tend to happen at modest speeds, but they still produce serious injuries because of the sheer number of turning movements, driveways and cross traffic packed into a short stretch of road.
Impairment and fatigue remain two of the most persistent factors behind daytime crashes in commercial zones. A driver does not need to be legally drunk to be impaired; drowsiness, prescription medication, or even the mental fatigue of running errands can slow reaction time enough to miss a stopped car or a lane change in progress. Investigators who respond to these calls routinely check for signs of impairment as a matter of course, even in crashes that look like simple fender-benders at first glance.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,979 passenger-car occupants were killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger car and a light truck in 2023. That figure is a reminder that vehicle mismatch, not just driver error, shapes how survivable these everyday collisions turn out to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do weather and road conditions affect crash risk?
Wet pavement, glare, and poor visibility can all extend stopping distances and make it harder for drivers to judge gaps in traffic. Even dry, clear days can be risky near shopping centers, where frequent stops and turns raise the chance of a misjudged maneuver.
What should I do right after a car accident?
Move to a safe spot if possible, check for injuries, and call 911. Exchange information with the other driver, take photos of the scene and vehicles, and seek a medical evaluation even if you feel fine, since some injuries take hours to show symptoms.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Many crashes cluster at intersections, shopping center entrances, and other spots with heavy turning movements. Lower speeds there often mean fewer deaths, but injury crashes remain common.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Long Beach, CA
If you're involved in a crash in Long Beach, start by checking yourself and any passengers for injuries, then move to a safe location if your vehicle is drivable. Call 911 so officers and medical responders can reach the scene and file an official report.
Even if injuries seem minor, make sure to get checked by a medical professional in the hours afterward. Keep records of any treatment, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, and photograph the scene while details are fresh. Reporting the crash promptly to your insurer and following up with local police can help make sure everything is documented correctly.
