Los Angeles, CA — December 22, 2024, one person was killed in a multi-vehicle accident at about 5 a.m. on the Harbor Freeway/Interstate 110.
Authorities said an unidentified man was hit by a car and a bus as he stepped out of his vehicle after a wrong-way collision with a cargo van near Century Boulevard.
The man died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
There were no passengers on the bus at the time, and the driver was not injured, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this point.
The crash remains under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
A crash like this one raises immediate and critical questions about how the events unfolded. Wrong-way collisions are rare but often severe because they typically occur at high speeds and give other drivers little time to react. When someone exits their vehicle in the aftermath, as happened here, the risks only multiply.
One of the first questions investigators need to ask is how and why the man’s vehicle ended up traveling the wrong way on the freeway. Was he disoriented, distracted or under the influence? Freeway on-ramps are usually designed with clear signage to prevent wrong-way entry, but if there’s a design flaw or missing signage, that could also play a role. Authorities need to closely examine the entry point to see if there’s anything that might have contributed to the initial wrong-way maneuver.
Once the collision occurred, the decision to exit the vehicle becomes a key factor. Freeways are among the most dangerous places to be outside of a vehicle, particularly in the pre-dawn hours when visibility is poor. While stepping out of a vehicle may seem like the safest option after an accident, it often isn’t. Staying inside and moving to the shoulder, if possible, can sometimes reduce the risk of being struck by other vehicles.
This crash also brings up questions about the role of the other drivers involved. Did the car or bus drivers have enough time to see and avoid the man? Poor lighting, weather conditions or even distraction could have reduced their ability to react. Investigators will likely look at factors such as speed, sightlines and whether the drivers were paying full attention to the road.
This crash underscores the importance of thorough investigations to uncover not just what happened but why. Understanding the decisions made by all parties, as well as the environmental and systemic factors, is key to addressing the risks that lead to such tragic outcomes.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us