A quiet stretch of Sepulveda Boulevard in Sherman Oaks turned deadly early Wednesday when a car slammed into a light pole, killing the driver and leaving a mangled wreck in the 3600 block of the roadway just before 1 a.m.
According to investigators, the man behind the wheel was alone in the vehicle when he lost control, crossed the center median and crashed into a light pole. It was not immediately clear what caused him to lose control, and the driver’s identity has not yet been released. Video from the scene showed first responders working around the crumpled car as crews swept up shattered debris, then covering the victim with a white sheet before the body was removed, details reported by KTLA (story by Will Conybeare, with contributions from Alberto Mendez).
Scene and response
Firefighters and LAPD Valley Traffic detectives stayed on scene for hours, documenting the point of impact and combing through the wreckage. Traffic through the 3600 block of Sepulveda was slowed as officers diverted vehicles around the taped-off area, while investigators photographed the crash site and crews worked to clear the last pieces of debris.
A dangerous corridor
The fatal wreck unfolded along a busy north-south stretch of Sepulveda that has seen several serious crashes in recent months, including a fatal motorcycle crash at Ventura Boulevard earlier this spring. That pattern has underscored long-standing safety worries on Valley arterials, and city and neighborhood leaders in the area have recently singled out nearby corridors for engineering reviews and targeted safety improvements.
Investigation under way
Valley Traffic detectives are leading the investigation and have not released the driver’s name pending notification of family. Anyone who was in the area around 1 a.m., especially drivers with dash-cam footage, is urged to contact the LAPD Valley Traffic Division, as reported by KTLA.
