Blue Ford Mustang lost control and struck a tree before catching fire on North Valley Circle Boulevard
January 20, 2026 | Woodland Hills, CA
A suspected impaired driving incident in Woodland Hills claimed the life of a 20-year-old passenger early on Jan. 20, while the driver sustained minor injuries, according to authorities.
Aryan Boomwall, 20, died as a passenger after a Ford Mustang lost control, struck a tree, and caught fire at North Valley Circle Boulevard and Canon Avenue in Woodland Hills.
What Happened in the Crash?
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that a blue Ford Mustang, occupied by three men in their 20s, veered out of control and collided with a tree in the 5900 block of North Valley Circle Boulevard near Canon Avenue around 1:25 a.m. The crash caused the vehicle to ignite, trapping one occupant inside.
- Victim Details: Aryan Boomwall, 20, was identified by the Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner as the passenger pronounced dead at the scene.
- Survivors: The driver and a backseat passenger escaped with no serious injuries.
- Arrest: The driver was detained on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
- Location: North Valley Circle Boulevard at Canon Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA.
- Time: Approximately 1:25 a.m. on Jan. 20.
This crash remains under active investigation by local law enforcement.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Impaired driving, whether from alcohol or drugs, severely compromises reaction times and vehicle control, leading to devastating outcomes. Even drivers who believe they are not intoxicated face heightened risks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 10,850 fatalities occurred annually in alcohol-impaired driving crashes from 2012 to 2021.
Year Range |
Average Annual Fatalities |
Source |
|---|
2012-2021 |
10,850 |
NHTSA |
Contributing Factors |
Impaired Driving, Speeding, Distraction |
Federal Highway Administration |
Legal Insights
National legal analysts emphasize the importance of thorough investigations into such incidents to uncover all contributing elements, including blood-alcohol levels.
“In cases such as this, impaired drivers face criminal charges when their actions result in harm or loss of life,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “Families may also seek civil remedies to hold the at-fault party accountable.”
Key takeaways from the analysis:
- Independent investigations are crucial to assess factors like intoxication levels.
- Criminal penalties apply to drivers causing accidents through impairment.
- Civil actions can provide compensation for victims' families, covering expenses and emotional effects.
- Attorneys play a vital role in navigating legal processes compassionately.
“Wrongful death occurs when negligence leads to a fatality, often from unsafe driving practices like DUI,” noted Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “Pursuing civil claims helps families address losses from medical costs to companionship.”
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(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).