Published: July 6, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(South Los Angeles, CA) – One person died and another was hurt in a Sunday morning collision on the Harbor (110) Freeway in South Los Angeles that the California Highway Patrol linked to a vehicle traveling the wrong way, authorities said.
The crash was reported around 10:15 a.m. Sunday on the southbound 110 Freeway near West Slauson Avenue, according to the CHP. One person was declared dead at the scene, and paramedics took a second person to a hospital, the agency said. The injured person's condition was not immediately available.
According to the CHP, a silver Honda Civic was heading northbound in the southbound lanes and struck a gray Nissan Murano. Investigators had not released further details about those involved.
Traffic on the southbound freeway was routed off at Vernon Avenue at 10:24 a.m., the CHP reported. A Sigalert issued at 10:53 a.m. closed all southbound lanes just south of Vernon Avenue as crews worked the scene.
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 110 Freeway Wrong-Way Collision
The details reported so far are limited, and no findings of fault have been announced. In a collision of this kind, investigators from the CHP will typically reconstruct the paths of both vehicles, review any available witness accounts, and examine physical evidence such as skid marks and vehicle damage before reaching any conclusions. Nothing below assigns blame; it describes only the general legal framework that can apply after a wrong-way freeway crash in California.
Where evidence shows a vehicle was traveling against the flow of traffic on a divided highway, one statute investigators and civil attorneys may consider is Vehicle Code section 21651, which makes it unlawful to drive other than to the right of a dividing section and treats a willful violation causing injury or death as a criminal offense. If a statutory violation is established, Evidence Code section 669 can create a presumption of negligence when that violation proximately causes the type of harm the law was designed to prevent and the injured party is within the class the statute protects. Speed may also be examined under the Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, which requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions.
Civil liability in California generally flows from the duty of ordinary care described in Civil Code section 1714, and any recovery can be reduced under the comparative-fault principle codified in Civil Code section 1431.2 if more than one party is found to share responsibility. When a crash results in death, a wrongful death action may be pursued by the heirs identified in Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, while claims that belonged to the person who died can proceed as a survival action under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.30. The damages recoverable in such cases are measured by Civil Code section 3333, which allows compensation for all detriment proximately caused.
What Survivors and Families Can Do
After a fatal or serious freeway crash, it helps to obtain the CHP collision report, preserve evidence such as photographs and the vehicles themselves, and keep records of medical treatment and related expenses. California law generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and drivers involved in an injury or fatal crash have their own reporting obligations, including a written report to law enforcement within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and a DMV report under Vehicle Code section 16000. Because early investigation and preserved evidence can matter, families and injured people weighing their options may wish to speak with an attorney. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California 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. RSS_MYNEWSLA – One Killed in Wrong-Way Crash on 110 Freeway in South LA: https://mynewsla.com/business/2026/07/05/one-killed-in-wrong-way-crash-on-110-freeway-in-south-la-2/
