A Pacoima intersection was shut down Saturday after a solo vehicle slammed into a utility pole, killing one person and injuring two others, according to officials. Emergency crews cordoned off the crossing while investigators and tow operators worked the scene, backing up traffic through the San Fernando Valley neighborhood.
The scene and emergency response
Video from the area shows a car crumpled against a bent pole as firefighters and police move around the wreckage. As reported by CBS Los Angeles, one person was pronounced dead and two others were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Pacoima's recent crash history
The deadly collision adds to a string of serious crashes that have shaken Pacoima in recent years. In March 2025, a driver died after turning in front of a Los Angeles Fire Department engine in the neighborhood, a case handled by the LAPD Valley Traffic Division, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Traffic-safety context
Traffic-safety advocates and city officials note that the most severe crashes tend to cluster on a relatively small slice of city streets, a key focus of Los Angeles' Vision Zero program to reduce traffic deaths. Data compiled and summarized by local street-safety groups indicates that about 65% of pedestrian fatalities and severe injuries occur on roughly 6% of city streets, according to Streets Are For Everyone.
Investigation underway
Authorities had not yet released the victim's name or identified a suspected cause of the crash as they processed the scene, and drivers were urged to steer clear of the area while evidence was collected. Updates on road reopenings and any official findings will be shared as they become available, according to CBS Los Angeles.
