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LYNWOOD, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 — Three vehicles collided early Monday morning, September 21, on eastbound I-105 near Long Beach Boulevard in Lynwood, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash blocked multiple lanes of traffic and required a firefighting response, the agency reported.
The collision was first reported shortly before 5 a.m. as a two-vehicle crash, but the California Highway Patrol said additional reports identified three vehicles involved, including one that came to rest on the right shoulder and two others blocking travel lanes. One vehicle was described in radio traffic as very badly damaged.
Fire crews responded to the scene and were reported blocking the second and third lanes while working the incident, delaying eastbound traffic. All eastbound lanes were briefly stopped as crews cleared the area.
Investigators noted the collision may have involved a sedan and a work truck, though that detail remains unconfirmed.
Two tow companies were called to remove vehicles from the freeway, and the California Highway Patrol said the investigation into how the crash happened is ongoing. We wish those injured a swift and full recovery.
When Multi-Vehicle Crashes Are Most Likely to Happen
Multi-vehicle collisions on freeways cluster around specific hours, and the pre-dawn commute window is one of them. Traffic volume climbs as early shift workers head out, but light levels stay low, cutting the time drivers have to react to a slowdown or a stopped vehicle ahead.
Fatigue plays a bigger role at this hour than most drivers realize. Reaction times slow in the early morning hours, especially for anyone who has been driving through the night, and a driver who is even a second slower to brake can turn a single fender-bender into a chain-reaction pileup involving several vehicles.
Weather and road surface conditions add another layer of risk overnight and in the early morning, when moisture or debris left from the night before is harder to spot under headlights alone. Combined with higher speeds typical of light overnight traffic, these conditions give following vehicles less room to stop safely once one car brakes hard or comes to a stop in a live lane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does following distance matter so much in freeway traffic?
A safe following distance gives a driver time to react if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly or stops. On freeways, where speeds are higher, even a short following distance can eliminate the time needed to avoid a collision.
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck?
Yes. Once a crash blocks a lane, approaching traffic often has little warning, especially in low light, and secondary collisions involving other vehicles are a recognized risk until the scene is fully cleared.
What makes multi-vehicle crashes difficult to investigate?
Multiple vehicles mean multiple possible points of impact and sequences of events. Investigators typically rely on vehicle damage patterns, witness statements, and roadway evidence to reconstruct which vehicle struck which, and in what order.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Lynwood, CA
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, move to a safe location if possible and turn on hazard lights to warn approaching traffic. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries before checking on others, and call 911 right away.
Even if you feel fine, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional. Adrenaline can mask pain from injuries that show up hours or days later. Exchange information with other drivers involved and, when law enforcement responds, get a copy of the report or the incident number for your records.
Take photos of vehicle positions and damage if it's safe to do so, and note anything you remember about how the crash unfolded while the details are still fresh.
