Before sunrise Thursday, a deadly chain of events unfolded on the Normandie Avenue on-ramp to the westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway in Arlington Heights. A pedestrian was struck and killed, and a delivery driver who stopped and tried to block the ramp had their vehicle taken in an apparent carjacking, according to authorities. The on-ramp was shut down for hours while investigators combed through the scene and looked for witnesses.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported at about 4:40 a.m., and a CHP log noted that the Los Angeles Police Department told dispatchers the pedestrian may have been hit twice, possibly by a second vehicle that left the area. Responders at the scene reported the victim was in a crosswalk when struck, and crews closed the ramp as the investigation got underway. Officials have not released the pedestrian’s name or announced any arrests, with detectives still canvassing the area for evidence and video, as reported by MyNewsLA.
Normandie already flagged as a risky corridor
Normandie Avenue is already on the City of Los Angeles High Injury Network, the list of streets that see a disproportionate share of serious pedestrian crashes. A Caltrans funding application for safety upgrades on Normandie cites wide lanes, high vehicle speeds and gaps in pedestrian infrastructure, and labels the corridor a priority for improvements, underscoring long-standing concerns about the street’s safety record, as outlined in the city’s application to Caltrans ATP application.
Carjacking reported at the scene
According to local reports, a delivery driver stopped on the ramp and tried to block traffic after the collision, only to have their vehicle carjacked as suspects fled the scene. CHP logs and field reports indicate investigators were working to determine whether more than one vehicle struck the pedestrian and whether the carjacking was connected to the crash, while officers checked nearby businesses and surveillance cameras for leads, as reported by MyNewsLA.
Legal notes
Under California law, carjacking is a felony defined in Penal Code section 215 and is punishable by multiple years in state prison. Drivers involved in crashes that cause injury or death must stop and follow reporting requirements under Vehicle Code section 20001; failing to do so can result in felony charges when a death or serious injury occurs. See Penal Code 215 and Vehicle Code 20001 for the statutes.
Investigators have not released any suspect descriptions. Anyone with information or dash-cam footage is urged to contact local law enforcement or submit an anonymous tip to LA Regional Crime Stoppers. For anonymous tips and possible rewards, visit LA Regional Crime Stoppers.
