Los Angeles, CA — March 18, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 7 p.m. on Lankershim Boulevard in Sun Valley.

Authorities said a northbound sedan veered into oncoming traffic for an unknown reason. It crashed into a box truck and a parked car, forcing the truck to hit another parked car.

A 24-year-old driver died in the crash, according to authorities, but it is not clear if it was the sedan driver or the truck driver.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary

Anytime a vehicle veers into oncoming traffic, the immediate question that comes to mind is, “Why?” That’s the key to understanding what really happened in this crash. Some people may assume the driver of the sedan was simply reckless or distracted, but in my experience, the cause isn’t always that simple.

When a vehicle crosses into the wrong lane, there are multiple possibilities to consider. Could there have been a medical emergency? Did another driver’s actions force the sedan into the truck’s path? Was there a mechanical failure? Could road conditions or visibility have played a role? These are all critical questions that need answers before anyone can make a fair assessment of fault.

Beyond what happened in the moments before the collision, a proper investigation should also look at the condition of the truck. While a head-on crash is devastating in any situation, commercial trucks are heavier and often cause far greater damage. That raises important considerations: Was the truck’s weight and load within legal limits? Were its brakes and other safety systems in good working order? These details might not be obvious at first glance, but they could be crucial in determining the full scope of responsibility.

Unfortunately, too many crash investigations stop at the scene. Without gathering things like in-cab video, ECM data or cell phone records, investigators may never get the full story. That’s why independent investigations often make the difference between knowing what really happened and being left with only part of the truth.