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PASADENA, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 23, 2026 — A hit-and-run crash left at least one person injured early Tuesday morning, September 22, near Elma Road and South Michillinda Avenue in Pasadena, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported before 3:20 a.m., when the Los Angeles Police Department advised that a vehicle had struck a person, the California Highway Patrol log shows. An ambulance was called to the scene for an injury.
A white Honda Civic involved in the crash sustained major front-end damage, according to the report. A tow truck was later requested to remove the vehicle from the roadway.
By around 4:36 a.m., the incident was logged as a felony hit-and-run involving two vehicles, a classification that applies under California law when a driver leaves the scene of a crash that causes injury. It was not immediately clear whether the driver had been identified or located. The extent of the injuries has not been released.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating. No further details, including the identity of anyone involved, have been made public.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
Hit-And-Run Crashes and the Injury Toll They Leave Behind
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 200,000 vehicle occupants were injured in hit-and-run crashes in 2023. That figure reflects a pattern that plays out in cities like Pasadena on a regular basis: a driver strikes another vehicle or a person, then leaves before help arrives or responsibility is established.
The injury count matters because it shows these crashes are not a minor issue of property damage and paperwork. Someone is hurt in the vast majority of documented cases nationwide, and the driver who caused it is gone before officers or paramedics reach the scene. That absence complicates everything that follows, from medical response to the investigation itself.
Police departments generally rely on witnesses, surveillance footage, and physical evidence left at the scene, such as paint transfer or vehicle parts, to identify a driver who fled. Cases are often solved days or weeks after the initial report, particularly when a damaged vehicle surfaces at a body shop or during a routine traffic stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Move to a safe location if possible, check for injuries, and call 911. Exchange information with other drivers if they remain at the scene, and take photos of the vehicles, damage, and surroundings before anything is moved.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Intersections account for a large share of crashes, particularly in urban and suburban areas where turning vehicles, pedestrians, and cross traffic converge. Nighttime and early morning hours also see a higher concentration of serious crashes.
How can drivers reduce their crash risk?
Staying alert at intersections, obeying posted speed limits, and avoiding distractions behind the wheel all lower the odds of a collision. Slowing down in areas with limited visibility, such as before dawn, gives drivers more time to react.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Common injuries include whiplash, fractures, cuts from broken glass, and head or chest trauma from impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag. Severity depends on speed, point of impact, and whether occupants were restrained.
What to Do After a Hit-And-Run Crash in Pasadena, CA
If you're involved in or witness a hit-and-run in Pasadena, call 911 right away and stay at the scene if it's safe to do so. Try to note details about the fleeing vehicle, such as its color, make, license plate, or direction of travel, since these details often make the difference in identifying a driver later.
Anyone injured should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if symptoms seem minor at first. Some injuries, including concussions or internal trauma, don't show obvious signs right away.
Don't forget to file a police report if one hasn't already been taken, and follow up with the investigating agency for updates. Keep records of any medical treatment and vehicle damage, as these will matter if the driver is later identified.
