Published: September 6, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Pacoima, CA) – One person was killed and three others were hurt Saturday night when a car left the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in Pacoima and struck a tree, authorities said.
The single-vehicle wreck was reported to the California Highway Patrol at 8:18 p.m. on the westbound Ronald Reagan Freeway near the San Fernando Road off-ramp. According to a witness account relayed to the department, the car traveled down the right shoulder embankment before hitting a tree.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Jennifer Middleton said one person was pronounced dead at the scene, one was transported to a hospital in serious condition, and two others were taken in fair condition. She said the ages and genders of those killed and injured were not available.
Middleton said the person who died did not appear to have been the driver of the sedan. A CHP officer reported that the driver was conscious when paramedics evaluated the person. The freeway's San Fernando off-ramp was closed while investigators worked the scene. The CHP issued a Sigalert at 9:12 p.m. that shut down lanes 4 and 5 along with the off-ramp.
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 Pacoima Freeway Collision
When a single vehicle leaves a freeway and strikes a fixed object, investigators typically work to reconstruct why the car departed the roadway. That inquiry often looks at speed, driver condition, roadway and shoulder conditions, and whether any mechanical issue contributed. California's Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, requires drivers to travel no faster than is reasonable and prudent for the conditions; whether that standard was met here is something a full investigation, not early reports, would determine.
Under Civil Code section 1714(a), a person may be responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care. If evidence were to show that a violation of a safety statute contributed to the injuries, Evidence Code section 669 can allow a presumption of negligence, provided the harm is of the kind the statute was meant to prevent and the injured party is within the class it protects. These frameworks describe how liability is generally evaluated; they do not establish that anyone here acted wrongfully.
Because a passenger, rather than the driver, appears to have died in this collision, the legal questions can be more layered. Where more than one party may share responsibility, California allocates non-economic damages by each party's percentage of fault under Civil Code section 1431.2. Any damages ultimately available would be measured under Civil Code section 3333, which compensates for all detriment proximately caused by a wrongful act.
For a death, California law provides two related paths. A survival action under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.30 allows claims that belonged to the decedent to pass to a successor in interest, while a wrongful death action under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 may be brought by a surviving spouse, children, or other qualifying heirs. Which apply depends on the facts and the family's circumstances.
What Families and Survivors Can Do
Those affected by a crash like this one can take practical steps while events are fresh: request the CHP collision report once it is completed, keep records of medical care and expenses, and preserve any photographs, dashcam footage, or witness contact information. Drivers involved in an injury or fatal crash generally must report it to law enforcement within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and to the DMV within 10 days under Vehicle Code section 16000. California's personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and shorter deadlines can apply when a public entity may be involved. Because the facts here remain under investigation, families and survivors weighing their options may find it helpful to speak with an attorney early. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Pacoima 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 – One Killed, Three Injured in Crash Off 118 Freeway in Pacoima
