Higham's Toyota Camry strikes Toyota Corolla on Foothill (210) Freeway
December 15, 2025 | Arcadia, CA
A serious wrong-way crash on the Foothill (210) Freeway left one driver hospitalized after a collision near Baldwin Avenue early Monday morning.
Kellie Higham was driving a Toyota Camry the wrong way when it struck a Toyota Corolla head-on on the Foothill 210 Freeway in Arcadia, leading to her death.
What Happened in the Crash?
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that a 61-year-old woman, Kellie Higham, was operating a Toyota Camry and driving against traffic on the freeway. At approximately 2:55 a.m., her vehicle struck a Toyota Corolla head-on.
- Date and Time: Dec. 15, 2025, around 2:55 a.m.
- Location: Foothill (210) Freeway at Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
- Vehicles Involved: Toyota Camry, wrong-way, and Toyota Corolla
- Injuries: The Corolla driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital
- Investigation Status: Ongoing by CHP
Higham was identified as the at-fault driver due to traveling the wrong way, a factor that escalated the severity of the crash.
Why Do Wrong-Way Crashes Occur?
Wrong-way accidents often stem from driver impairments such as alcohol use, drowsiness, or distractions, alongside infrastructure issues like inadequate signage or misleading on-ramps. These incidents pose significant risks on high-speed roadways like freeways.
According to data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), wrong-way driving contributes to hundreds of fatalities annually across the U.S.
Cause of Wrong-Way Crashes |
Description |
Annual U.S. Impact (FHWA Data) |
|---|
Driver Intoxication |
Alcohol or drugs impair judgment and directional sense |
About 30% of cases |
Fatigue or Distraction |
Drowsiness leads to missing directional cues |
About 25% of cases |
Poor Road Design |
Confusing ramps or signage |
About 20% of cases |
Medical Episodes |
Sudden health issues are causing disorientation |
About 10% of cases |
Other Factors |
Including signage failures or weather |
Remaining percentage |
This table highlights key contributors, emphasizing the need for enhanced prevention measures.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving wrong-way freeway collisions, thorough investigations are crucial to establish liability and support affected parties.
“An independent investigation by a knowledgeable attorney is essential right after such an accident to secure vital evidence,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and national analyst for Newsline. “Beyond police efforts, legal representation can revisit witness statements, review any available video footage, and gather communication records from the responsible driver. This approach not only aids in proving negligence but also provides compassionate support to those affected.”
Key takeaways from analyst perspectives on motor vehicle crashes:
- Preserve scene evidence promptly to build a strong case.
- Analyze multiple data sources, including traffic cameras and device logs.
- Guide victims through recovery while safeguarding legal entitlements.
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, added:
“Serious injuries from collisions can upend daily life, affecting relationships, careers, and well-being. Victims should know their options under the law, potentially recovering costs for treatment, ongoing care, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.”
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Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(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).