Multi-vehicle crash on Ventura Freeway in Toluca Lake kills one Sept. 15
TOLUCA LAKE, CA, (September 15, 2025) - A fatal multi-vehicle accident occurred early Monday on the westbound Ventura Freeway near the Cahuenga Boulevard exit, authorities said.
David Smith died in a multi-vehicle crash that overturned a vehicle on the westbound Ventura Freeway near Toluca Lake.
The California Highway Patrol responded around 12:11 a.m., discovering an overturned vehicle and a victim lying in the freeway's middle lanes. The victim, David Smith, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his identity Thursday.
Two SUVs were involved in the collision, sustaining both front and rear-end damage. Four lanes of the westbound freeway were closed while investigators worked the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION
California experiences approximately 500,000 reported collisions annually, making it second only to Texas for the most fatal car accidents nationwide. In 2024, the state saw an estimated 2,824 traffic fatalities in the first nine months, representing a 7.5% decrease from 2023 levels. Overall, California records about 3,998-4,000 fatal crashes per year among nearly a quarter million total accidents, accounting for nearly one in 10 traffic fatalities nationally.
The most common contributing factors include speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined,” said Candice Bond, a Managing Partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of David Smith could pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“We understand just what families must go through, and protecting their rights is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
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).