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LOS ANGELES, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 — Multiple vehicles collided early on Monday morning, September 21, on eastbound Interstate 10 just west of the I-110 interchange in Los Angeles. The crash was reported with injuries and prompted a lane closure that lasted through the overnight hours.
The California Highway Patrol's initial call described a purple Toyota Camry involved in a collision with a white sedan, blocking the number one lane. A second collision occurred shortly after in the same location, according to a caller at the scene. A later update noted a red Toyota RAV4 and a Honda also involved, again blocking the number one lane.
The agency requested Los Angeles Police Department air support to assess the scene, and fire personnel responded as well. At one point, half of the roadway's lanes were shut down while one lane remained open to traffic, with crews holding lanes on the main portion of the freeway as tow operators worked the scene. Several tow companies were contacted before one was confirmed en route, and additional tow requests followed as cleanup continued.
The number and severity of injuries have not been released. It remains unclear whether the two collisions were connected or separate incidents at the same location. The California Highway Patrol has not released further details on what led to the crash, and the investigation is ongoing.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
When Overnight Freeway Crashes Are Most Likely
Crashes like this one tend to cluster in the hours after midnight, when traffic volume drops, but speeds usually rise. Fewer cars on the road can mean drivers relax their attention, and a stalled vehicle or slow-moving car becomes harder to spot in time.
Visibility plays a bigger role than many drivers realize. Freeway lighting is inconsistent from one stretch to the next, and headlights alone sometimes fail to reveal a vehicle already stopped in a travel lane until a driver is dangerously close. Fatigue adds another layer of risk in these hours, since the body's natural sleep cycle works against alertness in the early morning.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 1,947,298 passenger-vehicle occupants were injured in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Overnight and early-morning stretches of urban freeways, where a first collision can quickly draw a second into the same lane, remain a recurring pattern in that toll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share occur on urban roads and freeways, frequently at intersections, interchanges, or points where traffic merges or slows unexpectedly.
How can drivers reduce their crash risk?
Keeping a safe following distance, staying alert for stopped or slow traffic ahead, and avoiding distractions are consistently linked to fewer collisions, especially at night.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Neck and back strain, head injuries, and broken bones are frequently reported, though severity varies widely based on speed and impact type.
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
Distracted driving, following too closely, speeding, and impaired driving are among the leading factors cited in collision reports nationwide.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles, CA
If you're involved in a freeway collision, try to move to a safe area if the vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so, and turn on hazard lights to warn other drivers. Call 911 to report the crash and request medical evaluation, even if injuries aren't immediately obvious, since some symptoms take hours to appear.
Exchange information with other drivers involved and note details about the scene while they're fresh, including lane positions and any visible damage. Follow up with a doctor in the days after the crash if pain, stiffness, or headaches develop. Keep a copy of the official collision report once it's available, as it may be useful for insurance or medical follow-up.
