Authorities say a wrong-way Honda Civic hit a Nissan SUV head-on on southbound I-110 near Vernon, leaving at least one person dead and lanes closed.
Accident News Report
A wrong-way driver caused a fatal head-on collision on the southbound Interstate 110 in Los Angeles on July 5, 2026, according to incident logs. The crash was reported around 10:12 a.m. when a gray sedan, described as a Honda Civic, was seen traveling northbound in the southbound lanes, initially on the right shoulder and then in the main lanes. Witnesses reported the vehicle had a cracked windshield and front bumper damage. Officials said the Honda Civic struck another vehicle head-on, described as a smaller SUV, later identified in logs as a gray Nissan Murano. The collision blocked at least the number 1 and 2 lanes on southbound I-110 just south of Vernon Avenue. Fire crews were notified and given access via the right shoulder and slow lanes. A SigAlert was issued at 10:53 a.m. for all southbound lanes, and traffic was diverted off the freeway at Vernon Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The on-ramp from Martin Luther King Jr. to southbound I-110 was also shut down. Incident logs show that the coroner was requested at 10:52 a.m., indicating at least one fatality. Tow trucks were called for the heavily damaged Nissan SUV, and transportation crews established a hard closure while cameras in the area were checked for possible footage. One lane reopened around noon, and additional lanes were gradually restored. All lanes on southbound I-110 were reported open again by about 2:31 p.m., and the incident was officially closed at 2:39 p.m. The circumstances leading up to the wrong-way driving remain under investigation.
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.