Driver veered into middle lanes near Lakewood Boulevard off-ramp
November 26, 2025 | Downey, CA
A tragic two-vehicle crash claimed the life of 24-year-old Alexis Velez Sanchez on the Golden State (5) Freeway in Downey, California.
The incident occurred late Wednesday evening, leaving another victim dead at the scene and prompting a thorough investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Alexis Velez Sanchez, 24, died in two-vehicle crash on the southbound Golden State Freeway near the Lakewood Boulevard off-ramp in Downey.
What Happened in the Crash?
California Highway Patrol officers arrived at the southbound freeway near the Lakewood Boulevard off-ramp around 11:37 p.m. They discovered Sanchez and another individual near a gray sedan, with a second vehicle obstructing the middle lanes. Emergency responders pronounced both victims deceased on-site. Authorities continue to probe the circumstances leading to this devastating event.
- Date and Time: Nov. 26, 2025. late evening at approximately 11:37 p.m.
- Location: Golden State (5) Freeway, Downey, near Lakewood Boulevard off-ramp.
- Vehicles Involved: Gray car and an unidentified second vehicle.
- Victims: Alexis Velez Sanchez, 24, and one unidentified person, both fatalities.
- Responding Agency: California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Motor vehicle collisions like this one often stem from preventable factors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding tops the list of causes for fatal crashes, followed by impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, or medication, improper lane maintenance, failure to yield, and distractions.
Common Causes of Fatal Crashes |
Percentage of Incidents (NHTSA Data) |
Description |
|---|
Speeding |
29% |
Exceeding posted limits or driving too fast for conditions. |
Impaired Driving |
25% |
Influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. |
Distracted Driving |
8% |
Use of phones or other diversions. |
Failure to Yield |
20% |
Not giving right-of-way to others. |
Lane Departure |
12% |
Crossing lanes without signaling. |
Each year in the U.S., approximately 36,000 individuals lose their lives in such accidents, with 1.9 million more suffering injuries, as reported by NHTSA.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving multi-vehicle collisions, families face immense challenges navigating the aftermath. National legal analysts provide guidance on protecting rights and seeking fair outcomes.
Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts and overlook the enduring impact on victims' loved ones. Attorneys play a crucial role in advocating for comprehensive compensation that accounts for long-term suffering.
- Key Takeaway: Engage legal representation early to gather independent evidence and counter insurance pressures.
- Key Takeaway: Focus on factors like road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and driver behavior during investigations.
- Key Takeaway: Compensation may cover medical costs, lost income, and emotional distress.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, emphasized the importance of thorough advocacy.
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, noted:
Families enduring such losses deserve support to secure damages for companionship, pain, and emotional hardship. Staying informed on the investigation ensures rights are upheld.
The relatives of Alexis Velez Sanchez may pursue a wrongful death claim to address these aspects following this catastrophic incident.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).