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WOODLAND HILLS, Los Angeles County, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 — Several people were hurt Wednesday evening, September 30, when multiple vehicles collided on westbound US-101 at Winnetka Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash left at least one lane blocked for more than an hour during the evening commute.
The California Highway Patrol said the wreck was initially reported as a three-vehicle collision shortly before 5:40 p.m., then grew as additional cars became involved. Radio traffic described as many as five vehicles caught up in the crash, including a gold Infiniti, a black Dodge Charger, a black Mercedes sedan and two other cars, though the exact final count was not confirmed in later updates. A gray Ford Edge, a Kia SUV and a blue Acura were also named in early reports as part of the collision.
Some vehicles reportedly were able to exit the freeway after the crash, while at least one car remained on the roadway and it was unclear whether it was still blocking traffic. The agency requested a tow for a gray Ford Edge described as having major front-end damage. Fire and paramedic crews responded to the scene, and the California Highway Patrol's Freeway Service Patrol arrived to assist around 6:22 p.m., with that unit's involvement closed out by about 6:45 p.m.
The crash remains under investigation. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a speedy recovery.
Where Multi-Vehicle Pileups on Freeways Tend to Cluster
Multi-car crashes like this one are not spread evenly across a highway system. They concentrate on stretches where traffic volume is high and merging is constant, particularly near on-ramps, off-ramps and major interchanges where vehicles are speeding up, slowing down or changing lanes at the same time.
Evening commute hours add another layer. Traffic density is highest, speeds vary widely between lanes, and a single sudden stop or lane change can trigger a chain reaction that pulls in cars several lengths back before anyone has time to react. Urban freeway segments with heavy weaving movements, like those near major arterial crossings, see this pattern repeat often.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure reflects how multi-vehicle crashes can extend beyond the cars directly involved, affecting people and vehicles nearby on the roadway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does following distance matter so much on freeways?
Keeping a longer gap between vehicles gives drivers more time to brake or steer around a sudden slowdown. On crowded freeways, a short following distance is one of the most common reasons an initial crash pulls in additional cars.
Do secondary crashes happen often after a first collision?
Yes. Once a crash blocks a lane, approaching traffic often has little warning, and secondary collisions involving vehicles arriving at the scene are common, especially in low visibility or heavy traffic.
What makes multi-vehicle crashes difficult to investigate?
With several vehicles and drivers involved, investigators have to reconstruct the order of impacts, determine which collision happened first, and sort out conflicting accounts, which can take longer than a two-car crash.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Woodland Hills, CA
If you're involved in a multi-car crash, try to move to a safe area away from traffic if your vehicle is drivable, and turn on hazard lights to warn others. Call 911 and wait for law enforcement to arrive and document the scene.
Even if you feel fine, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional, since injuries like whiplash or internal bruising aren't always obvious right away. Take photos of vehicle positions and damage if it's safe to do so, and get contact and insurance information from everyone involved.
Finally, file a report with the California Highway Patrol or local police if one hasn't already been generated, and keep a copy for your records.
