Culver City, California – Authorities in Culver City, California, shut down multiple lanes of the 405 Freeway following a tragic crash that claimed the life of an infant and left another girl hospitalized. The incident occurred early Monday morning on the northbound side of the 405 near Sepulveda Boulevard and the Howard Hughes Parkway exit.
Initial reports from a California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesperson indicated that the crash took place shortly before 4:30 a.m. that morning. At a press conference later in the day, officials revealed that they discovered two young girls at the scene: an infant, believed to be around 5 or 6 months old, found in the roadway, and a girl between the ages of 7 and 9 on the right shoulder. Tragically, the infant was pronounced dead at the scene, while the older girl was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
According to CHP Officer Diaz, it is still unclear how the young girls ended up on the freeway, prompting a plea for any witnesses or the public to come forward with information. Witnesses reported seeing a black sedan in the vicinity around the time of the crash, leading authorities to seek additional details about the vehicle by asking individuals to contact them at 323-644-9550.
Concerns also arose regarding whether the children were struck by vehicles while on the freeway, underscoring the urgency of the ongoing investigation. The resulting road closures had a significant impact on the morning commute for many commuters.
Video footage from Sky5 captured heavy traffic congestion as law enforcement officials closed off lanes 5 and 6 on the freeway. The closures, initiated just before 5:40 a.m., persisted until almost 9 a.m., causing delays for travelers in the area.
The investigation into this tragic event continues as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and the involvement of the young children. Additional updates and information may be provided as the investigation progresses.
Nancy Fontan contributed to the coverage of this developing story.