At least one person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the 101 Freeway near Calabasas. Officials with the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the fatal Calabasas collision on Monday, January 16. The accident caused lanes on both sides of the 101 Freeway to be closed. Traffic was backed up in both directions due to the lane closures.
Officials with the Los Angeles County Fire Department told KTLA that calls about the crash on the 101 Freeway, near Las Virgenes Road, came in around 9:12 p.m. on January 16.
WHO WERE THE VICTIMS OF THE AUTO ACCIDENT?
Officials confirmed that one 21-year-old man was wrongfully killed as a result of the accident. Authorities identified Raymundo Garcia as the man who was wrongfully killed in the Calabasas collision. Tragically, Garcia died at the scene. The Los Angeles County Coroner-Medical Examiner confirmed Garcia’s identity on the afternoon of January 17.
Two other people were trapped and needed to be rescued from their vehicles. One was transported to the hospital with minor injuries while the other person was not sent to the hospital.
HOW DID THE AUTO ACCIDENT OCCUR?
The cause of the accident and the at-fault driver is currently unknown. The crash involved a total of three vehicles. One of the vehicles jumped the center divider and landed on its roof.
It is confirmed that two of the vehicles overturned and landed on opposite sides of the freeway.
MAJOR TRAFFIC DELAYS IN CALABASAS
A Sigalert was issued for the 1,2, and 3 lanes on the eastbound side of the freeway and the westbound 1 and 2 lanes. A Sigalert is defined by the California Highway Patrol as “any unplanned event that causes the closing of one lane of traffic for 30 minutes or more.” In other words, it is a specific incident that significantly disrupts traffic on the road. Lanes were reopened around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16.
Presently, CHP is investigating the cause of the collision.
On the same day, there was a separate crash on the 101 Freeway that left a toddler in grave condition.
AFTERMATH OF THE CALABASAS COLLISION
Our hearts go out to Raymundo Garcia’s family. Accidents like these should never happen and it is a true tragedy when one does occur.
If you have any questions regarding an auto accident case, you should contact a Personal Injury Attorney immediately.