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SHERMAN OAKS, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 20, 2026 — A multi-vehicle crash blocked lanes on southbound I-405 near Mulholland Drive late on Friday night, September 18. At least one person was reported injured, and the freeway remained partly blocked for hours as crews worked the scene.
The California Highway Patrol log shows initial reports of a car stopped in a lane near Mulholland Drive, followed by reports of additional vehicles involved farther south near Skirball. Officials said a van and an SUV were among the vehicles involved, and callers reported people standing outside their cars in traffic lanes. One vehicle was reported smoking, according to radio traffic.
The incident was initially logged as a traffic hazard before being upgraded to a collision with a report of possible injury, and later to a call for an ambulance, according to CHP dispatch records. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene. Authorities have not released the number of people hurt or the extent of any injuries.
Tow trucks were requested for multiple vehicles, and at least one lane remained blocked into the early morning hours of Saturday, September 19, as crews cleared wreckage. The cause of the crash has not been determined, and the incident remains under investigation.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
Why Multi-Vehicle Pileups Spread Across Lanes
A pileup rarely starts as one big crash. It usually begins with a single vehicle slowing or stopping, usually for a stall, a minor fender bender, or debris in the road. What determines whether that turns into a two-car crash or a chain reaction involving five or six vehicles is how much space and time the drivers behind it have to react.
On a freeway moving at 65 mph, a driver following two seconds behind the car ahead has almost no room to stop safely if traffic suddenly bunches up. Add darkness, glare from headlights, or a driver looking at a phone, and the reaction window shrinks further. Each vehicle that can’t stop in time adds to the pile, and drivers arriving seconds later frequently have no warning that the lane ahead is already blocked.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 365 large-truck occupants were killed in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023. That figure reflects how quickly a single slowdown on a highway can turn into a chain of collisions once vehicles are following too closely to stop in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I’m stopped near a crash on the highway?
If your vehicle is drivable, move it to the shoulder or a safe area away from active lanes. Turn on hazard lights, stay inside a running vehicle when possible, and avoid standing in traffic lanes to check damage.
How does fog or low visibility contribute to pileups?
Reduced visibility shortens the distance at which drivers can see stopped or slowed traffic ahead, which cuts into the time they have to brake safely and raises the chance that following vehicles collide with each other.
Why is following distance so important?
Following distance is what gives a driver time to react to sudden braking ahead. At highway speeds, even a small increase in following distance can be the difference between stopping in time and rear-ending the car in front.
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck?
Yes. Vehicles arriving after the first collision usually have little warning that lanes are blocked, especially at night, which is why responders work to close or shift lanes quickly at crash scenes.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Sherman Oaks, CA
If you’re involved in a multi-vehicle crash, move to a safe spot away from traffic if you’re able, and call 911 to report injuries and request help. Even if you feel fine, a medical check is worth doing, since some injuries from a collision don’t show symptoms right away.
Get contact and insurance information from other drivers involved, and take photos of the scene if it’s safe to do so. Ask for a copy of the CHP or police report once it’s available, and keep records of any medical visits tied to the crash. Sherman Oaks sits along a busy stretch of the 405, so allow extra time for lane closures if you’re driving through the area while cleanup or investigation is underway.
