Available 
SHERMAN OAKS, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 20, 2026 — Several vehicles collided on Saturday morning, September 19, on the connector from southbound US-101 to southbound I-405 in Sherman Oaks. The crash was reported to involve as many as four vehicles, including a gray Tesla Model Y, a black Tesla, a white Jaguar SUV, and a pickup truck.
The California Highway Patrol received the initial report shortly before 10 a.m., when a caller reportedly told authorities the vehicles were blocking a slow lane on the connector. The incident was upgraded to a crash with injuries, and an ambulance was requested, authorities said.
Responders shut down two of three lanes on the transition road while crews worked the scene. The gray Tesla involved was reported not drivable, and a tow truck was called to remove it. No information on the number or severity of injuries has been released.
The crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not said what led to the collision or whether any citations have been issued.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
What Makes Multi-Vehicle Freeway Crashes So Damaging
Speed is the biggest factor in how much damage a freeway crash causes, more than the number of vehicles involved. A collision at 65 mph carries far more energy than one at 25 mph, and that energy has to go somewhere, whether it's absorbed by crumple zones, transferred to other vehicles, or spread across multiple impacts in a chain-reaction crash.
On a connector ramp like the one linking US-101 and I-405, vehicles often merge, slow, or change lanes at varying speeds. That speed difference, known as closing speed, determines how hard two vehicles hit each other, even if neither one is going particularly fast. A car that's nearly stopped can still be struck hard by one arriving at highway speed.
Modern vehicles are built with front and rear sections designed to crumple and absorb impact, protecting the passenger cabin. But that design only works within limits. When several vehicles are involved, a car can take a hit from one direction while it's still absorbing energy from another, and safety systems built for a single, predictable collision don't always perform the same way in a pileup. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23,959 passenger-vehicle occupants were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023.
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 other drivers 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 highways and interchanges, where vehicles merge, change speed, or change lanes in close quarters, often with little time to react.
How can drivers lower their chances of being in a crash?
Keeping a safe following distance, avoiding distractions, and adjusting speed for traffic and merging conditions all help drivers react in time to avoid a collision.
What injuries are common in multi-vehicle crashes?
Whiplash, head and neck injuries, and injuries from being thrown against interior surfaces are common, along with broken bones in more severe impacts.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Sherman Oaks, CA
If you're involved in a crash on a freeway or connector ramp, try to move to the shoulder if your vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so. Turn on hazard lights and stay inside the vehicle if you're in a live traffic lane, since getting out can be more dangerous than staying put until help arrives.
Seek medical evaluation even if you feel fine. Some injuries, particularly to the neck, back, or head, don't show symptoms right away. Report the crash to the police and keep a copy of any report filed for your records.
