- What happened on the 210 Freeway in Tujunga early Saturday
- Timeline and location details that matter to an investigation
- Immediate response by CHP and Los Angeles County Fire Department
- Why nighttime multi-vehicle freeway crashes happen, and common factors investigators review
- What families and injured people can do in the first 72 hours
- How to obtain key official records in Los Angeles County
- California civil claims after a fatal or serious Los Angeles car accident
- Who may be liable in a multi-vehicle chain reaction on the 210
- Insurance coverages that may apply after a Tujunga car crash
- Preserving crucial evidence from vehicles, phones, and the roadway
- Local context and safety notes for the Foothill Freeway corridor
- Carefully starting an insurance claim, and why speaking to a lawyer first matters
- Support and community resources in Los Angeles County
- Timely next steps that protect legal rights and well being
- Commentary from Gosuits Tujunga, California Personal Injury Attorney
What happened on the 210 Freeway in Tujunga early Saturday
In the early morning hours, at about 1:21 a.m., California Highway Patrol officers and Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics responded to a multi-vehicle crash on the westbound 210 Freeway near Lowell Avenue in Tujunga. Multiple vehicles were involved, including a Nissan Pathfinder that came to rest on its side. Paramedics tragically pronounced one person deceased at the scene. At least one additional person was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Authorities issued a SigAlert and closed all westbound lanes at Lowell Avenue during the investigation. All lanes reopened shortly before 7 a.m. The name, age, and gender of the deceased had not been released at the time of reporting.
If you were in the area between Sunland Boulevard and Lowell Avenue around that time, or if you were detoured along Foothill Boulevard during the closure, any dashcam video or observations you captured could be helpful to investigators and to affected families seeking answers.
Timeline and location details that matter to an investigation
The crash occurred on the Foothill Freeway segment of Interstate 210 at Lowell Avenue. This is a well traveled corridor that serves Tujunga, La Crescenta, and the foothill neighborhoods along the Verdugo Mountains. The Lowell interchange sits west of the Sunland Boulevard exit and east of La Tuna Canyon Road. At 1:21 a.m., darkness, lower traffic volumes, and potentially higher average speeds are common on this stretch.
Investigators typically note the precise lane closure footprint, debris field, skid or yaw marks, and roadway lighting. Because all westbound lanes were closed for several hours, the collision scene likely spanned multiple lanes or required significant reconstruction work by CHP. Reopening by about 7 a.m. suggests that evidence documentation and initial clearing were completed just as the morning commute approached. These time stamps can help synchronize surveillance cameras, commercial truck telematics, or rideshare trip data that may exist for the corridor.
Immediate response by CHP and Los Angeles County Fire Department
CHP responded to the scene, coordinated traffic control, and is leading the collision investigation. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics provided medical care and declared the fatality. In Los Angeles County freeway cases, CHP prepares the official traffic collision report that insurers and the courts rely on. LACoFD typically generates medical incident records that can later help clarify injury mechanisms and timelines.
CHP also initiated the SigAlert, which is a public advisory used during major traffic disruptions. While the alert has ended and lanes are open, the investigative work continues, often including scene measurements, vehicle inspections, and witness interviews. The agency may conduct follow-up interviews with involved drivers, passengers, and third-party witnesses.
Why nighttime multi-vehicle freeway crashes happen, and common factors investigators review
Nighttime freeway crashes can be complex. Reduced visibility, driver fatigue, and higher prevailing speeds often overlap. National data show that the late night and early morning hours consistently carry elevated fatality risk compared with daylight hours. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System is a frequently used reference for understanding these patterns and risk factors across the country. See NHTSA FARS.
Investigators commonly look at:
- Speed and stopping distance. Even small increases in speed lengthen stopping distances and increase crash energy. NHTSA provides speed risk information at NHTSA Speeding.
- Impairment or fatigue. Overnight hours correlate with higher rates of alcohol impairment, drowsiness, or both, according to national traffic safety research summarized by NHTSA.
- Lane changes and merging. Near interchanges like Lowell Avenue, last second lane changes can trigger chain reactions.
- Vehicle dynamics. An SUV like a Nissan Pathfinder that ends up on its side suggests potential lateral forces, curb strikes, or multi-contact dynamics. Only a qualified reconstruction can determine the cause.
- Weather and lighting. Roadway lighting and any wet pavement can influence visibility and traction. Caltrans maintenance and lighting records may be relevant in some cases.
These are general factors. The actual cause on the 210 will depend on what CHP documents, along with any supplemental evidence preserved by the parties.
What families and injured people can do in the first 72 hours
Nothing feels routine when a family member is hurt or killed. In those first days, small steps can preserve clarity for later.
- Write down what you know. Times, locations, vehicle descriptions, and any conversations with officers or paramedics. Memory fades quickly after traumatic events.
- Preserve digital evidence. Save dashcam clips, phone photos, or text threads. Back them up to a secure drive. If a rideshare or delivery app trip was in progress, screenshot the trip details and timeline.
- Avoid posting details on social media. Public posts can be misinterpreted or used out of context by insurers.
- Consider vehicle storage. Totaled vehicles can hold vital evidence. Do not authorize disposal without understanding the potential impact on an investigation.
- Request a free consultation with a qualified attorney before speaking with insurance. Initial statements can be used against you later, even if you mean well. A consultation can help frame what to share and when.
How to obtain key official records in Los Angeles County
Several agencies maintain records that can help families and injured people understand what happened and navigate insurance claims.
CHP Traffic Collision Report
CHP prepares the official collision report for freeway crashes. You can request a copy by submitting the CHP 190 form. Details are at CHP Collision Report Request. If you need to identify the correct office that handled the scene, start at Find a CHP Office. Having the report number, date, and exact location will help.
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner
For fatalities, the Medical Examiner-Coroner handles decedent identification, autopsy, and toxicology where indicated. Next of kin can request records through the county portal at LA County Medical Examiner Records. Processing times can vary based on pending tests. The office also provides guidance on certificates and release procedures on its main site at mec.lacounty.gov.
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Incident records and certain reports may be available through a Public Records Act request. Instructions are posted at LACoFD Public Records Act Requests.
Caltrans records
For roadway lighting, maintenance logs, or traffic management center data that may exist, requests can be made to Caltrans through the Public Records Act process. See Caltrans Public Records Act Request.
California DMV SR-1 requirement
California requires drivers to file an SR 1 with the DMV within 10 days when a crash causes injury, death, or property damage of 1000 dollars or more. Learn more and access the form at DMV Accident Report SR 1. This filing is separate from the CHP collision report.
Before making record requests or filings, consider consulting an attorney. Timing and wording can matter, and releasing certain information prematurely can affect claims handling.
California civil claims after a fatal or serious Los Angeles car accident
California law provides civil pathways for injured people and, when a death occurs, for qualifying family members to pursue accountability and compensation related to negligence. This section provides general legal context and citations to public sources.
- Wrongful death eligibility. California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 identifies who may bring a wrongful death claim, generally including a spouse, domestic partner, children, or other dependents in certain situations. Text at CCP 377.60.
- Survival actions. The decedent’s estate may pursue claims the person could have brought had they lived, under CCP section 377.30. See CCP 377.30.
- General statute of limitations. Most personal injury and wrongful death claims in California must be filed within two years. See CCP section 335.1 at CCP 335.1.
- Claims against public entities. When a claim involves a public entity, an administrative claim often must be presented within six months. See Government Code section 911.2 at Gov. Code 911.2.
- Comparative fault. California follows comparative fault principles, where responsibility can be shared among multiple parties. Civil Code section 1714 sets out the general duty of ordinary care. See Civil Code 1714.
Every case turns on the specific facts and evidence. Timelines can be shorter in some situations. Early guidance can help families avoid missteps that are hard to fix later.
Who may be liable in a multi-vehicle chain reaction on the 210
When multiple vehicles collide, liability can involve several actors. Potentially responsible parties may include:
- One or more drivers. Sudden braking, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, or impairment can form the basis for negligence.
- Commercial carriers. If a delivery van or truck is involved, a company may be responsible for driver conduct within the scope of employment, and its own hiring, training, or maintenance practices.
- Vehicle manufacturers. In rare cases, a failure such as brake or tire defects could be relevant. This requires careful technical analysis.
- Public entities. If a dangerous roadway condition contributed, there may be a separate route under Government Code, with special notice deadlines. See Gov. Code 911.2.
Fault is not always all or nothing. In chain reactions, CHP diagrams, physical evidence, and electronic data build a picture of how the sequence unfolded. That picture can shift as additional evidence is uncovered.
Insurance coverages that may apply after a Tujunga car crash
Several insurance layers may be relevant after a Los Angeles car accident on the 210 Freeway:
- Liability coverage of at fault drivers. California raised minimum liability limits effective January 1, 2025. The DMV has public guidance at DMV Insurance Minimums 2025.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Your own policy may cover injuries when an at fault driver has no insurance or not enough.
- Medical payments coverage. Optional med pay can help with immediate medical bills regardless of fault, subject to policy terms.
- Commercial policies. If a delivery van, rideshare, or company vehicle was involved, higher commercial limits or special coverages may be available.
- Property damage. Collision and comprehensive coverages may apply to vehicle losses, while liability property damage covers harm to other vehicles or property.
Insurers will request statements early. Because what you say can be used to minimize or deny claims, it is best practice to consult an attorney first to understand your rights and obligations for any recorded statement.
Preserving crucial evidence from vehicles, phones, and the roadway
Strong evidence strengthens any civil claim. The window to capture it is short.
- Event Data Recorders. Many vehicles store pre and post crash data such as speed, braking, and seatbelt status. NHTSA provides general information at NHTSA Event Data Recorders. Accessing and interpreting EDR data typically requires prompt action and technical tools.
- Cell phone and app data. Phone records, rideshare logs, and navigation app histories can corroborate timelines and routes. Preservation letters are time sensitive.
- Commercial vehicle telematics. Trucks and delivery vehicles often maintain GPS, engine control, and electronic logging device data.
- Roadway and camera evidence. Caltrans traffic management sensors, nearby business cameras, or residential doorbell cameras may capture relevant footage. These systems may overwrite within days.
- Vehicles and components. Do not authorize salvage or destruction without understanding the potential evidentiary value.
Because evidence can be lost quickly, families often ask a representative to send preservation notices to involved parties and insurers immediately after a serious Tujunga car crash.
Local context and safety notes for the Foothill Freeway corridor
Neighbors know how fast the 210 can feel overnight through Sunland Tujunga. The Lowell Avenue interchange sits along the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains, a stretch where drivers may change lanes near the on and off ramp. In the small hours, the road can seem wide open, yet construction closures, debris, or disabled vehicles occasionally appear with little warning.
While investigators will determine what happened here, the community can appreciate the risks in this corridor. NHTSA’s national data consistently show that speed and impairment are significant contributors to fatal crashes. See the broader research links at NHTSA FARS and NHTSA Speeding. California’s Office of Traffic Safety also publishes statewide trends that echo these patterns, at OTS Traffic Safety Facts.
If you commute from Tujunga to Pasadena or Glendale, or connect to the 2 or 5, consider keeping a dashcam, setting your headlights to automatic full illumination, and leaving longer gaps than usual at night. Those small choices often matter when the unexpected happens near interchanges like Lowell.
Carefully starting an insurance claim, and why speaking to a lawyer first matters
Insurers usually move faster than families can, especially after a high visibility 210 Freeway crash. An adjuster may call within 24 to 48 hours. It can feel routine to cooperate and talk at length. There is a risk in doing so without context.
- Consult a lawyer before speaking with any insurance company. Free consultations allow people to understand their rights and obligations. What is said to insurers can be used later to limit recovery or dispute fault.
- Notify your insurer of the crash without detail. Policy terms may require prompt notice, but a minimal notification can preserve rights while you seek guidance.
- Do not sign blanket medical authorizations. These can give insurers broad access to unrelated medical history, which can unfairly complicate claims.
- Track all costs. Save bills, receipts, and proof of missed work. Accurate documentation strengthens a claim.
When a crash involves possible government entities or commercial fleets, early strategic decisions about reporting and evidence requests can make a meaningful difference.
Support and community resources in Los Angeles County
In addition to family and neighbors in Sunland Tujunga, several public resources may help during the aftermath of a serious collision:
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Victim Services. While not every traffic crash involves a crime, Victim Services can guide families when criminal conduct is suspected and offer connections to support resources. See LA County DA Victim Services.
- SAMHSA National Helpline. For emotional support and counseling referrals, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a confidential helpline. See SAMHSA National Helpline.
- California Office of Traffic Safety educational materials. Statewide safety facts and programs are available at OTS Traffic Safety Facts.
Local houses of worship and community groups along Foothill Boulevard and in the Sunland Tujunga neighborhood often coordinate practical help after tragedies. Leaning on that support is a strength, not a weakness.
Timely next steps that protect legal rights and well being
This section highlights concrete actions that should be taken after a serious freeway collision. It is not directed at any specific person.
- Secure the case timeline now. Document times, locations, and contact information for witnesses. The benefit is accuracy later, especially if memories change. The urgency is high because phone numbers and details quickly get lost.
- Preserve vehicles and data immediately. Keep the involved vehicles on hold and request that no repairs or salvaging occur. The benefit is access to EDR data and physical evidence. The urgency is high because tow yards may dispose of vehicles in days.
- Request official records in sequence. Start with the CHP collision report, then coroner records if applicable, then fire department incident notes. The benefit is a clearer picture for any claim. The timing matters because agency processing queues can be weeks long.
- Control communications with insurers. Prepare before any recorded statements. The benefit is avoiding harmful admissions. The urgency is moderate to high because insurers often call within 24 to 48 hours.
- Calendar legal deadlines. Track the two year window for most civil filings and the six month public entity claim deadline. The benefit is preserving rights. The urgency is high when any government agency might be implicated.
- Stabilize medical care and documentation. Follow treatment plans and keep records of all visits and recommendations. The benefit is health and claim clarity. The urgency is ongoing, but starting within the first week sets the tone.
Commentary from Gosuits Tujunga, California Personal Injury Attorney
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this crash on the 210 near Lowell Avenue. A life lost and another person fighting critical injuries is heartbreaking for any family and for neighbors who drive this corridor every day. This commentary is shared for educational purposes and general information. It is not a substitute for legal guidance specific to any person’s situation.
From what is publicly known, this was a multi-vehicle event in the early morning darkness that left at least one SUV on its side and required a several hour closure for investigation. In our experience with freeway collisions through the foothill corridor, the combination of lane changes near interchanges, nighttime speeds, and limited reaction time often complicates the sequence of impacts. CHP’s documentation, together with any vehicle data and third party video, will be critical to determine how this chain of events unfolded and who bears civil responsibility.
Insurance companies and large corporations move quickly after a serious Tujunga car crash. Adjusters are trained to gather statements and documents early, sometimes before families have a full picture or all records in hand. Innocent mistakes during those conversations can be used to minimize fault or argue that injuries were pre existing or less severe than they are. In commercial vehicle scenarios, companies may start internal investigations immediately, and if evidence preservation is not demanded, important data can slip away.
A free consultation is important because it helps people understand the playing field before making statements or signing documents. It also allows a seasoned advocate to prioritize evidence preservation, identify all potential insurance coverages, and help families avoid missing short deadlines that are not obvious, such as claims involving public entities. Even one timely conversation can help prevent missteps that are hard to undo later.
Additional references
Public sources cited in this article for community education:
- CHP Collision Report Request
- Find a CHP Office
- LA County Medical Examiner Records
- LACoFD Public Records Act Requests
- Caltrans PRA Request
- DMV Accident Report SR 1
- DMV Insurance Minimums 2025
- NHTSA FARS
- NHTSA Speeding
- NHTSA Event Data Recorders
- California OTS Traffic Safety Facts
- CCP 335.1
- CCP 377.60
- CCP 377.30
- Civil Code 1714
- Gov. Code 911.2
- LA County DA Victim Services
- SAMHSA National Helpline
