Another person was taken to hospital after the accident on Golden State (5) Freeway
July 14, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
What happened in the crash?
Gary Swanson, 61, died in a six-vehicle crash on the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway near Soto Street.
- Date: July 14
- Location: Northbound Golden State Freeway, Los Angeles
- Vehicles involved: Six-vehicle collision
- Victim: Gary Swanson, 61, pronounced dead at the scene
- Injuries: One additional person was transported to a hospital with injuries under evaluation
- Agency: California Highway Patrol
The accident remains under active investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Why do these accidents happen?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is one of the leading causes of fatal crashes, followed by impairment from alcohol, drugs, or medication, lane departure, failure to yield, and distracted driving.
| Primary Cause | Percentage Impact on Fatal Crashes |
|---|
| Speeding | Highest reported factor |
| Impairment | Second leading cause |
| Lane departure | Significant contributor |
| Failure to yield | Common in multi-vehicle incidents |
| Distracted driving | Rising factor in recent data |
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Legal Insights
“In cases such as this, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and national analyst for Newsline. “Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family who has lost a loved one during this difficult time, as well as protect their legal rights and best interests.”
- Families may pursue compensation for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress
- Independent review helps preserve evidence alongside official investigations
- Legal guidance supports navigation of complex claims processes
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “Relatives of wrongful death victims are entitled to seek damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.”
The family members of Gary Swanson may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim.
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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).
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