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Los Angeles, CA (September 8, 2026) – One person died, and four others were hospitalized after a three-car crash on Monday night, September 7, on the southbound 110 Freeway in Los Angeles. The crash happened near the interchange with the 105 Freeway.
The collision was reported at about 8:12 p.m. on the Labor Day holiday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Fire crews responded and transported four people to area hospitals with injuries. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Names of those involved have not been released. The extent of the injuries to the four hospitalized patients has not been made public.
Southbound lanes remained slow for more than an hour after the crash as authorities worked to clear the scene and investigate the cause of the collision. The cause has not been confirmed.
Authorities noted this was the second fatal freeway crash in Los Angeles that day. Another person died in a separate crash involving five vehicles on the 405 Freeway near the Sepulveda Pass earlier Monday afternoon.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
Where Multi-Vehicle Freeway Crashes Cluster
Interchanges like the one where the 110 and 105 freeways meet tend to produce more multi-car crashes than open stretches of highway. Merging traffic, lane drops, and drivers slowing to navigate ramps create sudden speed differences between vehicles, and a single hard brake can trigger a chain reaction behind it.
Holiday travel adds another layer. Traffic volume rises sharply on days like Labor Day, and stretches of freeway that normally move at a steady pace can bunch into stop-and-go conditions within minutes. That mix of higher volume and inconsistent speeds is a common setting for chain-collision crashes.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 4,061 people were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Crashes involving three or more vehicles are more likely at complex interchanges and during high-volume travel periods, where the space to react to a slowdown ahead shrinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fatal-crash investigations typically take?
Reconstructing a multi-vehicle crash can take weeks. Investigators review physical evidence, any available video, and witness accounts before determining a cause.
Does impaired driving factor into fatal freeway crashes?
Impairment is one of several factors investigators routinely check in fatal crashes, along with speed and road conditions, but a cause is not confirmed until the investigation concludes.
Where do fatal multi-car crashes happen most often?
They cluster at interchanges, merge points, and stretches with heavy congestion, where sudden slowdowns catch following drivers off guard.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Freeway Crash in Los Angeles, CA
If you’re involved in a freeway crash, move to a safe location if possible and call 911. Turn on hazard lights and stay in your vehicle if traffic is still moving nearby unless it’s unsafe to do so.
Seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor. Adrenaline can mask pain from a collision, and some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Get a copy of the police report once it’s available, and keep records of any medical care received. In a city with heavy freeway traffic like Los Angeles, documenting the scene with photos, if it’s safe, can help clarify what happened later.
