A gray sedan crashed into an embankment off westbound SR-118 at San Fernando Road, leading to a fatality and extended ramp and lane closures.
Car Accident on Westbound State Route 118 at San Fernando Road off-ramp
On the night of September 5, 2026, a gray four-door sedan crashed into a tree on the right shoulder embankment off westbound State Route 118 at the San Fernando Road off-ramp. Initial reports indicated a male, last seen wearing gray sweatpants, standing near the vehicle in the embankment. Officials later confirmed the vehicle was occupied by three people, and the driver was conscious and being evaluated by fire personnel at the scene. Authorities closed the San Fernando Road off-ramp to provide access for fire crews and to manage the scene. A traffic break was initiated on eastbound Interstate 210 at Maclay, and all lanes were temporarily stopped as officials responded. A SigAlert was issued for westbound SR-118 at the San Fernando Road off-ramp, affecting four of the five lanes for an estimated hour and a half while traffic control and an investigation were underway. Caltrans personnel assisted with closures and traffic management. Later in the evening, officials requested the coroner, and the incident was reclassified from a collision with unknown injuries to a fatal crash. An evidence tow was arranged, and units followed the vehicle to the tow yard. All lanes were eventually reopened, the SigAlert was cancelled in the early morning hours of September 6, and the incident was formally closed. No additional details on the deceased person or the conditions of the other occupants were provided in the log.
Incident Details
What California law says after a car accident
Who may bring a wrongful death claim in California
When a collision results in death, California law allows specific family members to bring a wrongful death claim. The categories are defined by statute and generally include a surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, where there is no surviving spouse or issue, others who would be entitled to the property of the person who died. Certain dependents, including a putative spouse, stepchildren, or parents who were financially dependent, may also qualify.
A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses, including financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of the companionship, guidance, and society the person provided.
A separate claim, called a survival action, covers losses the person themselves sustained before death, such as medical expenses and lost earnings. California law changed here. For survival actions filed on or after January 1, 2026, damages for the decedent’s own pain, suffering, or disfigurement are no longer recoverable. Cases filed before that date are not affected, and different rules can apply in elder abuse matters.
Eligibility depends on family circumstances, filing deadlines are strict, and the damages available depend in part on when a case is filed.
Reporting requirements after a California collision
California imposes reporting duties on drivers that are separate from any insurance claim.
A report must be filed with the DMV on form SR-1 within ten days of a collision that caused any injury, any death, or more than one thousand dollars in property damage to any one person. This duty applies regardless of fault, applies even when police responded and wrote their own report, and is not satisfied by notifying an insurance company. With current repair costs, most collisions that involve a body shop meet the damage threshold.
A separate rule covers collisions causing injury or death. The driver must make a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police department where the collision happened in a city, within twenty four hours. The statute states this duty for every injury or fatal collision. In practice, where officers responded and completed a report at the scene, that report generally satisfies the agency’s need, but a driver who assumes this without confirming it is relying on practice rather than on the text of the law.
Missing the DMV deadline can lead to suspension of driving privileges, an outcome unrelated to who caused the collision.
Information for Families After a Fatal Collision
Losing a family member in a collision raises urgent legal questions, often long before anyone feels ready to ask them. These guides set out the basics, with no obligation attached.
- California wrongful death attorney: who may file, the deadlines that apply, and what a claim covers
- Los Angeles car accident lawyer: fault, insurance offers, and what a claim is worth
- All practice areas
Injured in This Accident? Get Trusted Legal Guidance
After an accident, the right information can make a meaningful difference. If you or a loved one was hurt, The Law Offices of Burg and Brock, Inc. can help you understand your rights and options.
Speak with our legal team today before making important decisions.