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MONROVIA, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 11, 2026 — Several people were hurt early Saturday morning, October 10, in a multi-vehicle crash that shut down lanes on westbound Interstate 210 near South Myrtle Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash began when a pickup truck struck the center divider and spun out across the carpool lane. Additional vehicles became involved as traffic backed up, with a pickup truck colliding with another pickup truck and at least one other vehicle, and, separately, a sedan colliding with another sedan and a sprinter van. By the time units arrived, three to four vehicles were reported tangled in the lanes, blocking the carpool lane and part of the left lane of the westbound freeway.
Dispatch traffic indicated both elderly people and teenagers were among those involved, with some parties reported not moving and bystanders standing by to assist until help arrived. Monrovia Fire Department units responded to the scene. The extent of injuries has not been released, and it remains unclear how many people were taken to hospitals.
The California Highway Patrol has not said what caused the pickup truck to lose control or how many vehicles were ultimately involved. The crash remains under investigation, and officials have not released names, ages, or a full vehicle count.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
A Common Misconception About Multi-Vehicle Pileups
Many drivers assume that a crash involving several vehicles must mean someone made an unusually reckless choice, like excessive speed or racing. In reality, most multi-car pileups start with a single, fairly ordinary mistake, such as one driver losing control or stopping short, and grow because the vehicles behind cannot react in time or have nowhere to go.
The bigger factor is usually what happens after the first impact, not the first impact itself. Once one or two vehicles are stopped or spun out in a travel lane, especially in low light or in a high-occupancy lane where traffic moves fast, following vehicles have only seconds to brake or swerve. Each additional collision adds people and vehicles to the scene, which is why early-morning pileups on freeways can involve far more cars than the original incident.
These crashes also raise the stakes for people outside vehicles, including those who stop to help or stand near the shoulder. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That statistic reflects how much risk exists for anyone on foot near moving traffic, not just those still inside their cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does following distance matter so much in multi-vehicle crashes?
A longer gap between vehicles gives drivers more time to brake or steer around a hazard ahead. When vehicles are packed close together, even a brief slowdown from a crash ahead can trigger a chain-reaction collision.
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck on a freeway?
Yes. Once a crash blocks a lane, stopped or slow-moving vehicles create a hazard for approaching traffic, and additional collisions often occur within minutes if lanes aren't cleared or warnings issued quickly.
What makes multi-vehicle crashes difficult to investigate?
Investigators have to determine the sequence of impacts, which vehicle struck which, and in what order, often using damage patterns, witness accounts, and any available video, since several collisions can happen within seconds of each other.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Monrovia, CA
If you're involved in or witness a multi-vehicle crash, try to move to a safe area away from traffic lanes if your vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so. Turn on the hazard lights and call 911 so dispatchers can route fire, medical, and traffic-control resources to the scene.
Even if you feel fine, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional, since injuries from a sudden stop or impact aren't always obvious right away. Exchange information with other drivers when possible, and file a report with the California Highway Patrol or local police so there's an official record of what happened.
