Los Angeles, CA — November 17, 2025, Cesar Biteranta was killed in a truck accident just before 1 p.m. on Interstate 5/Santa Ana Freeway.
Authorities said a sedan and a semi-truck were involved in a crash on the northbound 5 Freeway near Calzona Street in Boyle Height.
Sedan driver Cesar Biteranta, 71, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Los Angeles County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people hear about a crash involving a car and an 18-wheeler on a major freeway, especially one where the car’s driver is killed, their first reaction is often to wonder who’s at fault. That’s a fair question, but based on what’s publicly known right now, there are still major gaps in the story.
The crash happened just before 1 p.m. on I-5 near Calzona Street. We know that a semi-truck and a sedan were involved, and the driver of the sedan was killed at the scene. But beyond that, critical details are missing.
We don’t yet know how the crash occurred. Did the sedan rear-end the truck, or did the truck hit the sedan? Was one of the vehicles changing lanes? Did either of them lose control? The answers to those questions are essential before anyone can say who’s responsible, or even begin to hold them accountable.
Depending on whether the truck was moving or stopped, different questions arise. For example, if the truck was slowing or stopped in a live lane, why was that the case? Was there a mechanical failure? Was the trucker reacting to something ahead on the road? On the other hand, if the truck was moving and veered into the sedan’s path, that points to different issues, like distraction or improper lane use.
Getting to the bottom of those questions requires looking beyond the crash scene. Investigators will need to examine the truck’s black box (or engine control module) to see whether the truck braked, accelerated or changed lanes right before the impact. Cell phone records can help confirm whether the driver was distracted. Dash cams, especially if the truck was equipped with forward-facing or in-cab cameras, can provide a clear view of what unfolded.
And while the driver’s actions matter, the trucking company’s role shouldn’t be overlooked. What training did the driver receive? Was he screened properly before being hired? I once handled a case where the driver had failed out of multiple jobs but was still put behind the wheel. That kind of decision by a company can set the stage for disaster.
At this point, the public has only part of the picture. Until a thorough investigation pulls together all the relevant evidence, from driver history to ECM data, any conclusions about fault are just guesses. But what’s clear is that someone’s responsibility in a crash like this can’t be determined by vehicle type alone. It comes down to actions, choices and evidence.
Key Takeaways:
- Critical details about how the crash occurred have not been made public.
- Responsibility depends on specific actions before the crash, not just the fact that a truck was involved.
- Black box data, dash cams and phone records are vital for understanding what happened.
- Trucking company policies and hiring decisions may be as important as the driver’s conduct.
- Without a full investigation, it’s impossible to say who’s to blame or whether the crash could have been prevented.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us