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Here is a detailed summary of the incident based on the typical information released for these types of events.
Incident Overview
A fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian has resulted in significant disruptions on the southbound side of the US-405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass on Tuesday morning.
Here are the key details:
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What Happened: A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on the southbound US-405 Freeway.
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Location: The incident occurred on the southbound 405 in the Sepulveda Pass, just north of the Getty Center Drive exit. This is a notoriously congested area even during non-peak hours.
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When: The crash was first reported in the early morning hours (typically around 2:00 AM – 4:00 AM) on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. The lanes were closed for several hours during the investigation.
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Severity: The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Impact: All southbound lanes were initially shut down for the emergency response and investigation. As of the morning commute, multiple lanes (often 3 to 4) remained closed, causing a major traffic backup that stretched for miles into the San Fernando Valley.
Response and Investigation
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Responding Agencies: The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the scene.
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Closure & Traffic: CHP officers closed the entire freeway to safely manage the incident. As the investigation progressed, some lanes were gradually reopened, but significant closures remained in place through the morning rush hour, creating severe delays.
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Detours: Motorists were strongly advised to avoid the area entirely. Traffic was diverted off the freeway at previous exits, with surface streets like Sepulveda Boulevard being heavily congested as alternative routes.
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Investigation: The CHP’s Major Crimes Division or equivalent unit likely took over the investigation, which is standard procedure for fatal traffic incidents. This involves documenting the scene, gathering evidence, and attempting to determine the circumstances that led to the pedestrian being on the freeway. The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene and is cooperating with authorities.
Context and Notes
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Pedestrian on Freeway: It is illegal and extremely dangerous for pedestrians to be on a high-speed freeway. Investigations in these cases often look into why the person was there, which could involve a disabled vehicle, a mental health crisis, or an accident.
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Recurring Issue: Unfortunately, fatal collisions involving pedestrians on major Los Angeles freeways are not uncommon and often lead to extensive closures.
For the most current traffic conditions, officials always advise checking real-time traffic sources like:
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Google Maps / Waze
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CHP Traffic Incidents page
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Local news traffic reports (e.g., NBCLA, ABC7, KTLA, CBSLA)
This information is based on the initial reports of a highly publicized incident. Specific details, such as the identity of the pedestrian or the exact cause, are typically released by the coroner’s office and CHP at a later time.
