A truck driver dangled over a dark freeway edge after a stopped car sparked a multi-rig crash One driver is in critical condition and three others are hurt after a major crash shut down the 210 Freeway in Sylmar.
LEDE
Imagine driving home in the dark, only to see taillights too late. A single stopped car on a fast freeway can turn a normal trip into a fight for survival in seconds.
WHAT HAPPENED
A multi-vehicle crash shut down the eastbound 210 Freeway in Sylmar early Friday morning. The pileup began around 1:45 a.m. near Roxford Street.
An SUV stopped in the middle of traffic. A chain reaction followed, drawing in two big rigs and at least one other car.
One semi-truck slid to the edge of the freeway. Its cab hung off the side of the bridge, trapping the driver inside. Firefighters had to pull the driver out.
What the evidence shows
- 1:45 a.m. is the time the crash began.
- 4 vehicles were caught in the crash, including two semi-trucks and one SUV.
- 1 driver was pulled from the hanging truck in critical condition.
- 2 other drivers went to the hospital with minor injuries.
- 6 hours of traffic delays followed while crews cleared spilled fuel.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
Why do cars stop in the middle of fast highways? It is a growing fear for night drivers.
We must ask if our roads have enough safety spots. When a car breaks down in the dark, drivers have very few safe places to go.
THE OTHER SIDE
Investigators have not blamed any driver yet. Sometimes cars stall due to engine failure, giving drivers no choice but to stop in the lanes.
Based on the early reports, it is too soon to tell if the stopped driver made a mistake or faced a sudden emergency.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
The eastbound lanes reopened after crews cleared the fuel spill. Local drivers faced heavy delays during the morning rush hour.
The critically hurt driver remains in the hospital. Police will inspect the wrecked cars to see if mechanical issues caused the initial stop.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- Why did the SUV stop in the middle of the freeway?
- Did the big rigs have enough time to brake?
- Was bad lighting or speed a factor in the chain reaction?
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 5, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.