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SHERMAN OAKS, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 14, 2026 — A three-vehicle crash blocked middle lanes of southbound US-101 near the Woodman Avenue offramp Tuesday afternoon, October 13, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported shortly after 2:20 p.m. just north of the Woodman Avenue exit on southbound US-101. The incident log lists a gray Tesla Model Y, a large white truck, and a third vehicle of unconfirmed make, though the sequence of impact has not been released.
Los Angeles Fire Department units responded to the scene, CHP dispatch records show.
Middle lanes of southbound US-101 were blocked while crews worked the scene, and tow services were requested to clear vehicles.
The crash remains under review. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a swift and full recovery.
Why Multi-Vehicle Pileups on Freeways Cause So Much Damage
A three-vehicle crash is rarely about one impact. It is about how fast the trailing vehicles are closing on whatever stopped or slowed ahead of them, and how much room they had to react. On a freeway, speed differences of even 15 or 20 mph between a braking lead vehicle and a following one can turn a minor tap into a hard rear-end hit, because the following driver has only a second or two to see the brake lights, process them, and stop.
Weight matters as much as speed. A passenger car and a large truck do not share impact forces evenly. The heavier vehicle keeps moving while the lighter one absorbs most of the change in speed, which is why mismatched-weight crashes often leave the smaller vehicle with far more damage even at the same closing speed.
Vehicles are built with crumple zones at the front and rear to absorb energy before it reaches the cabin, but those zones have limits. When a second or third vehicle arrives too fast to merge safely around a crash already in progress, the pileup grows because each new vehicle adds its own speed and weight to the chain. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28,595 large-truck occupants were injured in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do chain-reaction crashes happen on freeways?
They typically start when one vehicle slows or stops suddenly and following vehicles do not have enough distance or time to react, so each impact adds another vehicle to the chain.
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a pileup?
Keeping a longer following distance, watching traffic several cars ahead rather than just the car directly in front, and easing off the gas early when brake lights appear can give a driver more room to stop safely.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Turn on hazard lights, stay in the vehicle if it's safe to do so, and move to the shoulder only if the vehicle is drivable and it's safe to merge over.
Does fog or low visibility make pileups worse?
Yes. Reduced visibility shortens the distance at which drivers can see trouble ahead, which means less time to brake and a higher chance that following vehicles can't stop in time.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Sherman Oaks, CA
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, try to move to a safe location out of traffic if your vehicle can be driven, and turn on hazard lights. Check on passengers and other drivers, and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
Even if you feel fine, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional, since some injuries from a sudden stop or impact aren't obvious right away. Request a copy of the official collision report once it's available, and take photos of the scene and vehicle positions if it's safe to do so. Keep any paperwork from the California Highway Patrol or responding agencies in case you need it later.
