A pre-dawn solo-vehicle crash on the 101 Freeway in Sherman Oaks early Wednesday brought northbound traffic to a crawl and left one person dead, authorities said.
The wreck was reported at about 4 a.m. on the northbound side of the freeway, where aerial video showed a car jammed against the center median with debris scattered across multiple lanes. For hours, crews squeezed traffic into a single open northbound lane while first responders worked the scene and investigators documented the crash. Officials did not immediately release the identity of the person who died or what triggered the collision.
According to ABC7, the California Highway Patrol said the remaining northbound lanes would stay blocked until further notice, with Air7 footage capturing the lone vehicle wedged on the center divider. The station reported that only one vehicle appeared to be involved and that investigators were combing through the debris field for evidence. Drivers were warned to brace for heavy delays through the Sepulveda Pass while cleanup and the on-scene investigation continued.
Corridor Has Seen Other Deadly Crashes
The Sepulveda Pass and the web of 405 and 101 connectors have a recent track record of serious crashes that can quickly paralyze traffic and complicate emergency response, as the Los Angeles Times reported. Hoodline previously covered a fatal crash last November that shut down the northbound connector for hours and reignited questions about ramp design and emergency access in the area. Transportation experts say tight or limited shoulders combined with high speeds on ramps and connectors make this stretch especially vulnerable to massive backups when something goes wrong.
Investigation Underway
The California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation and has not yet released a possible cause, per ABC7. Removing the vehicle from the center median and clearing scattered debris required heavy equipment, which slowed the reopening of additional lanes and stretched the morning commute. Local traffic reports indicated backups extending well beyond the Sepulveda Pass while investigators remained on scene.
Officials said more details will be released once the crash is fully processed. In the meantime, drivers were advised to expect lingering delays on the 101 and to consider alternate routes if they can.
