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SOUTH EL MONTE, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 23, 2026 — A child in a car seat was reportedly injured Tuesday evening, September 22, in a two-vehicle crash on Durfee Avenue in South El Monte, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash, involving a black Nissan Sentra and a gray Toyota Camry, was reported around 5:25 p.m. near the 300 block of Durfee Avenue, the California Highway Patrol said. A child riding in a car seat was reported injured, though the extent of the injury has not been confirmed.
The California Highway Patrol requested a response from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and crews were sent to the scene. Firefighters logged their response a few minutes later, according to dispatch records. The condition of any other occupants involved has not been released.
No further details on the cause of the crash, citations, or additional injuries have been made public. The collision remains under investigation.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
How Investigators Piece Together a Car Crash
When emergency crews arrive at a two-vehicle crash, their first job is stabilizing anyone who's hurt and securing the scene, not determining fault. That comes later, once officers or troopers have measured skid marks, photographed vehicle positions, and collected statements from drivers and witnesses who saw what happened.
Agencies typically hold back a driver's or victim's name until next of kin has been notified, which can take hours or, in some cases, days if family members live out of the area. This isn't unusual or a sign that something is being withheld unfairly. It's standard procedure meant to make sure a family doesn't learn of a loved one's involvement in a crash from a news report or social media post.
A final crash report, especially one involving a child or requiring a fire department response, can take weeks to complete. Investigators may need to review vehicle data recorders, request medical records, or wait on toxicology results if they were ordered. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 6,138,359 police-reported traffic crashes occurred in 2023, and each one moves through this same basic process before an agency can call a case closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
Check for injuries first and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention. Move to a safe location if possible, exchange information with the other driver, and take photos of the vehicles and the scene before anything is moved.
Where do most traffic crashes happen?
A large share of crashes occur on surface streets and at intersections in urban and suburban areas, often at lower speeds than highway crashes but with frequent cross-traffic and turning movements.
How can drivers lower the chances of a crash like this?
Slowing down at intersections, scanning cross streets before proceeding, and avoiding distractions like phones are basic habits that cut down on the kind of misjudgment that leads to many two-vehicle collisions.
What injuries are common in two-vehicle crashes?
Whiplash, bruising from seatbelts or airbags, and head or neck injuries are common. Children in car seats can still be hurt even when properly restrained, which is why medical evaluation after any crash involving a child is strongly recommended.
What to Do After a Car Accident in South El Monte, CA
If you're involved in a crash in South El Monte, stay at the scene until police arrive and give a clear, factual account of what happened. Even if injuries seem minor at first, especially for a child, it's worth having a doctor check for signs of injury that aren't immediately obvious, like internal bruising or concussion symptoms that can take hours to appear.
Remember to keep a copy of the police report once it's available, and hold onto any photos or notes from the scene. If a fire department or paramedic crew responded, ask for the incident number so you can request records later if needed. Give yourself and any family members involved time to process what happened. Even a crash without life-threatening injuries can be frightening, particularly when a child is involved.
