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Los Angeles, CA (June 12, 2026) – A collision on southbound Interstate 405 just north of Jefferson Boulevard blocked the HOV lane and brought all lanes to a stop early on Friday morning. A dark-colored sedan struck a center divider, leaving the vehicle disabled and blocking the HOV lane. Near-miss collisions with other passing vehicles were also reported at the time.
Possible injuries were noted in the initial report, so emergency units were called to the scene. A tow truck was requested, and the disabled vehicle was later removed via the Howard Hughes Parkway off-ramp.
No names or further details about those involved in the accident were available at the time of publication. The wreck is still being reviewed, and additional information is expected to follow as the inquiry moves forward.
We are thinking of anyone hurt and hope for their full recovery.
How HOV Lane Blockages on Los Angeles Freeways Affect Traffic Flow
HOV lanes, also called carpool lanes, run along the far-left side of most major Los Angeles freeways and are designed to keep high-occupancy vehicles moving faster than general traffic. When a crash disables a vehicle in the HOV lane, the blockage tends to back up traffic more severely than a standard lane obstruction because drivers cannot easily merge around it. The physical barrier separating HOV lanes from the rest of the freeway also limits how quickly emergency units can reach a stopped vehicle from the right side of the road.
On a busy corridor like Interstate 405, even a short blockage in the HOV lane can ripple back for miles, especially late at night when fewer workers are available to manage traffic flow. Near-miss collisions are a real concern in these moments, as drivers approaching a stopped vehicle may not have enough warning to slow down safely. Roadway lighting and driver reaction time both factor into how quickly secondary crashes can develop around a freeway blockage.
