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LONG BEACH, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 20, 2026 — A multi-vehicle crash shut down lanes on northbound Interstate 405 near the Interstate 710 connector late Sunday night, October 19, according to the California Highway Patrol. At least one person was hurt and taken to a hospital, the agency's traffic log shows.
The crash was first reported as a two-vehicle collision with one vehicle overturned, blocking the right lanes. Within minutes, dispatch notes describe a possible three-vehicle wreck involving a semi tractor-trailer, a Tesla and a third, unidentified vehicle. A black BMW also ended up overturned on its roof in the roadway, and a black Tesla was reported flipped and blocking the transition road to southbound I-710.
Responders logged roughly three people out of their vehicles at the scene, including a man reported bleeding on the right shoulder. The Long Beach Fire Department responded under its own incident number, and one party was transported to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
Heavy traffic backed up onto the transition road as crews worked the scene, and a tow company was called in to begin clearing overturned vehicles.
This remains an active investigation. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
More Crash News from Los Angeles County
This multi-vehicle crash happened on I-405 in Long Beach, CA. For other recent crashes near Long Beach, CA, visit our Los Angeles County accident news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does low visibility or nighttime driving contribute to pile-ups like this one?
Reduced visibility, whether from darkness, glare or weather, cuts down the time drivers have to react to a slowdown or a stopped vehicle ahead, which raises the odds that one crash becomes several.
Why does following distance matter so much in heavy freeway traffic?
A longer gap between vehicles gives a driver more time to brake or steer around trouble. On fast-moving freeways like the 405, tailgating leaves almost no room to avoid a chain-reaction collision once the car ahead stops suddenly.
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck like this?
Yes. Vehicles that stop or slow to avoid a crash scene, or that arrive before responders can close lanes, are often struck by following traffic, which is why early lane closures and warning flares matter so much.
What makes multi-vehicle crashes like this one difficult to investigate?
Investigators have to reconstruct the order in which vehicles struck each other, interview multiple drivers and witnesses, and account for vehicles that may have stopped to help, all of which takes time and can shift early accounts of what happened.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Long Beach, CA
If you're involved in a multi-car wreck on a freeway, try to stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on unless it's unsafe to do so, and turn on hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. Once it's safe, move to the shoulder or a nearby exit if your vehicle is drivable. Call 911 and wait for CHP or local responders, since multi-vehicle scenes often need help directing traffic safely around the wreck.
Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical provider afterward. Injuries from a rollover or secondary impact aren't always obvious right away. Get a copy of the CHP incident report once it's available, and keep records of any medical visits, tow bills or damage photos in case you need them later.
