Sedan struck big rig near Osborne Street offramp
December 21, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA
A 25-year-old man lost his life in a tragic early morning accident in the Arleta neighborhood of Los Angeles on Dec. 21.
Donovan Chapman, 25, died at the scene after a sedan and a big rig crashed on the northbound Golden State Freeway just south of the Osborne Street offramp in Arleta.
Donovan Chapman was involved in a collision between a sedan and a big rig on the northbound Golden State Freeway, just south of the Osborne Street offramp near the Hollywood Freeway interchange.
The incident occurred around 3:43 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
What Happened in the Crash?
- Victim: Donovan Chapman, 25, pronounced deceased at the scene.
- Vehicles Involved: A sedan and a big rig.
- Time and Date: Approximately 3:43 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2025.
- Location: Northbound Golden State Freeway, Arleta section of Los Angeles, near Osborne Street offramp and Hollywood Freeway interchange.
- Agency: California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigating.
Authorities have not yet disclosed which vehicle Chapman was driving. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Motor vehicle crashes, especially those involving commercial trucks like big rigs, often stem from factors such as speeding, distracted driving, or failure to maintain proper lanes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 36,000 people die annually in U.S. road accidents, with 1.9 million injured.
Here's a summary of common causes of fatal crashes, based on NHTSA data:
Cause |
Percentage of Fatal Crashes |
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 distractions. |
Failure to Yield |
20% |
Not giving the right of way at intersections or merges. |
Lane Departure |
12% |
Veering out of the proper lane. |
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2023 data.
These statistics underscore the need for thorough investigations to determine fault accurately.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, identifying the at-fault party requires examining whether a driver acted negligently or carelessly, noted Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and national analyst for Newsline.
“Oftentimes, it is clear who the responsible driver is following an accident. However, sometimes it can be difficult to identify who may have caused it,” Bond said. “Complicating things is the fact that multiple agencies might make a determination of fault after a car accident, such as law enforcement agencies and insurance companies, without performing a full investigation. That is why an independent investigation performed by a law firm is crucial.”
Key takeaways from legal perspectives on truck and sedan collisions:
- Investigations should consider commercial vehicle regulations, including driver logs and maintenance records.
- Fault determination can involve insurance adjusters, but independent professionals provide unbiased analysis.
- Families may pursue claims for wrongful death to cover losses like funeral expenses and emotional trauma.
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, emphasized the role of legal support in such tragedies.
“Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that can be accrued by an injured party or the loss of a loved one. That's where an attorney can help. We protect victims and families of victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes,” Formica said.
Pending investigation results, the family of Donovan Chapman may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim, seeking compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
Next Steps and Support
If you or a loved one has been affected by a similar incident, consulting with legal professionals can help navigate the complexities of claims. Newsline encourages reaching out to national legal analysts for guidance.
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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).