A deadly crash early Wednesday turned the northbound Ventura (101) Freeway through Woodland Hills into a standstill, shutting all lanes for hours and triggering a major emergency response. The collision, which involved two vehicles, happened near Valley Circle Boulevard. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and officials had not released the victim's identity.
According to ABC7, the California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported at about 1:30 a.m., and all northbound lanes remained closed through 5 a.m. while crews cleared wreckage and investigated. CHP did not immediately provide a cause for the collision or additional details about any other injuries.
Closures Snarl The Early Commute
With the freeway shut down, drivers were kicked off onto surface streets and exit ramps, clogging Ventura Boulevard and nearby arterials as commuters scrambled for alternate routes. Traffic-monitoring feeds showed delays stacking up across the West San Fernando Valley while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene.
Deadly Stretch Sees Another Fatal Wreck
This section of the 101 has seen deadly incidents before. In September 2024, a pedestrian struck and killed near Winnetka Avenue led to major lane closures and morning gridlock. Those past crashes highlight how fast a single freeway incident can ripple through neighborhood streets.
CHP Investigation Still In Early Stages
CHP investigators remained on scene for several hours and said they would release more information as it becomes available. Authorities asked anyone with information about the crash to contact the CHP Valley office.
