Published: September 24, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Long Beach, CA) – One person died in a crash involving several vehicles on the Artesia (91) Freeway in Long Beach that remained under investigation Thursday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Investigators reported that a black Tesla and a burgundy Honda collided at about 10:19 p.m. Wednesday in the eastbound lanes of the Artesia Freeway, a short distance west of the Long Beach (710) Freeway, a CHP spokesperson said. The agency indicated that a person may have been in the middle of the roadway when the collision occurred.
The CHP said it had not confirmed whether the individual pronounced dead at the location was the same person who was reportedly in the roadway. As many as two additional vehicles may have been involved, according to the agency.
All eastbound lanes just west of the 710 Freeway were cleared and reopened around 1:51 a.m., the CHP said, after a SigAlert had earlier been put in place.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Long Beach Freeway Collision
When a multi-vehicle crash on a freeway results in a death, investigators generally work to reconstruct the sequence of events – the position and speed of each vehicle, points of impact, and whether any person or object was in the traffic lanes. Nothing here establishes fault, and the CHP's account describes an open investigation. The statutes below are offered only as a general framework for how California law can apply once the facts are known.
California's Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent given traffic, visibility, and roadway conditions. If evidence were to show that any driver was traveling faster than conditions allowed, that could be relevant to a civil analysis. Under Civil Code section 1714, a person is generally responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. Where a safety statute is violated and that violation proximately causes an injury the statute was meant to prevent, Evidence Code section 669 can give rise to a presumption of negligence.
Because more than one vehicle was reportedly involved, an eventual review might allocate responsibility among multiple parties. Civil Code section 1431.2 provides for allocating non-economic damages in proportion to each party's share of fault. When a crash causes a death, Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 identifies who may bring a wrongful death claim, while Code of Civil Procedure section 377.30 addresses claims that survive on behalf of the person who died.
What Families and Survivors Can Do
After a fatal freeway collision, families can request a copy of the CHP traffic collision report once it is completed and take steps to preserve evidence, including photographs, vehicle data, and the contact information of any witnesses. Drivers involved in an injury or fatal crash have reporting obligations under Vehicle Code section 20008 and Vehicle Code section 16000, and California generally allows two years to file a personal injury claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Because a multi-vehicle case can involve several insurers and disputed accounts, speaking early with an attorney can help protect a family's rights while the investigation continues.
Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. MyNewsLA – Fatal Freeway Crash in Long Beach
2. KTLA 5 – Driver killed in Long Beach Freeway crash – ktla.com
