One Dead in Multi-Vehicle Crash on 101 Freeway in Encino Early Saturday
Authorities confirm one person was killed early Saturday after a multi-vehicle crash on the northbound 101 Freeway in Encino, California. The fatal collision occurred shortly before 2 a.m. just south of White Oak Avenue, triggering a major traffic disruption in the busy corridor.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated that the incident began when a black sedan stalled in the fast lane with hazard lights activated. Shortly after, the occupant of the vehicle exited, placing themselves in harm’s way. A chain-reaction crash unfolded involving four vehicles, culminating tragically as the individual was struck and trapped underneath one of the cars.
Emergency Response and Scene Details
Video footage from the scene shows firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department working urgently to raise the overturned wreckage with a jack and assess vital signs of the trapped victim. Despite their efforts, the person was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased has not been released.
A representative from the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office was called to the site as the CHP began its investigation into the chain of events leading to the deadly crash.
Traffic Impact and Investigation Underway
The crash prompted a Sigalert at 2:38 a.m., closing all northbound lanes of the 101 Freeway. Traffic was diverted onto White Oak Avenue, leading to significant backups that persisted even after two lanes reopened. Full clearance and reopening of all lanes occurred hours later, restoring normal traffic flow.
CHP officials are actively investigating the cause of the initial disabled vehicle and the resulting multi-car collision. They urge motorists to use caution in the area as authorities continue to piece together the sequence of events.
Why This Matters Now
This fatal crash highlights the extreme dangers of exiting disabled vehicles on high-speed freeways and the devastating ripple effects chain-reaction crashes can have on critical traffic arteries. For drivers in Alabama and nationwide, this tragic incident underscores the urgent need for freeway safety awareness, especially during overnight hours when visibility and reaction times are limited.
The Alabama Report will provide updates as officials release additional information about this developing story.
