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PALMS, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 — A two-vehicle collision blocked slow lanes on westbound Interstate 10 near National Boulevard Wednesday evening, September 23, and left at least one person with injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol said a white Toyota RAV4 crashed with another vehicle on the westbound side of the freeway near the National Boulevard interchange. Early reports described the second vehicle only as a truck. The collision was first logged as a crash with unknown injuries before being updated to reflect that people involved needed medical attention.
The crash blocked the slow lanes on westbound I-10, backing up traffic through the area during the evening commute. Caltrans crews and freeway service patrol units responded to the scene alongside CHP officers.
The California Highway Patrol's freeway service patrol closed out its response to the incident by 6:09 p.m., though it's unclear when all lanes fully reopened.
Investigators continue reviewing the collision. We wish those injured a swift and full recovery.
What the Numbers Show About Multi-Vehicle Crashes on Freeways
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28,595 large-truck occupants were injured in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023. That figure reflects how often crashes involving trucks and passenger vehicles result in injury rather than property damage alone, particularly when they happen on high-speed freeway corridors.
Multi-vehicle collisions on interstates often involve a mix of passenger cars, work vehicles, and commercial trucks moving at different speeds in congested lanes. When one vehicle is larger or heavier, the mismatch in size and weight tends to raise the odds that occupants of the smaller vehicle are hurt, even in crashes that don't involve a big rig at highway speed.
Freeway crashes also tend to create secondary risks. Vehicles blocking lanes can trigger rear-end collisions from following traffic, especially during peak commute hours when drivers have less time to react. That's part of why agencies dispatch freeway service patrols quickly to clear blocked lanes and reduce the chance of a second crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
Move to a safe spot if possible, check for injuries, and call 911. Exchange information with the other driver and take photos of the scene if you're able to do so safely.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share of crashes occur on busy urban freeways and at intersections, where merging traffic, lane changes, and stop-and-go conditions increase the chance of a collision.
How can drivers stay safer on the road?
Leaving more following distance, avoiding distractions, and slowing down in congested or merging areas all cut down on common causes of freeway crashes.
What injuries are common in two-vehicle crashes?
Whiplash, cuts and bruises, and broken bones are frequent outcomes, though severity varies widely depending on speed and impact angle.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Palms, CA
If you're involved in a crash on a freeway like I-10 in Palms, try to move your vehicle out of traffic lanes if it's drivable and safe to do so. Turn on hazard lights and stay inside the vehicle if you're stopped in an active lane, since walking along a freeway shoulder carries its own risk.
Get checked out by a medical professional even if you feel fine at the scene. Adrenaline can mask pain from soft-tissue injuries that show up hours or days later. Keep a copy of the CHP incident report and any medical records in case you need them for insurance purposes.
