2016 Freightliner Cascadia Turned Into the Center Median of the 210 Freeway Before Entering Opposing Lanes of Traffic
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA (June 23, 2026) – A woman has tragically died, and an estimated 32 people were injured after a semi-truck swerved into opposing lanes of traffic on the 210 freeway before jackknifing.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the accident happened around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. A 2016 Freightliner Cascadia was heading eastbound on the 210 freeway when the driver made a sudden turn into the median of the freeway.
The force of that movement caused the semi-truck to jackknife and cross multiple lanes of the freeway. Multiple vehicles were hit by the truck, including a 2018 Ford Transit and a 2024 Nissan Prologue.
Two passengers in the 2015 Ford Transit suffered critical injuries and were transported to the hospital. In total, 32 patients were treated for their injuries.
Sadly, one woman died due to the nature of her injuries. Neither drugs nor alcohol is suspected as a factor in the crash.
Liability for Irwindale Semi-Truck Accidents
Every person operating a motor vehicle within the state of California owes a duty of care to the other drivers that they shared the road with. This requires that they abide by all vehicles and traffic codes and maintain a safe speed at all times. According to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” Truck companies should take several actions to avoid collisions.
- Safety Culture: Truck companies should put a heavy emphasis on creating and promoting the culture of safety. They must ensure that all of their drivers strictly adhere to all regulations set forth by the FMCSA.
- Maintenance: Truck companies should ensure that they routinely inspect and maintain all of their vehicles.
- Technology: Truck companies should use forward collision avoidance systems and other technological features to help prevent accidents.
- Training: Truck companies should ensure that each of their drivers is properly certified and their drivers are trained on the specific rig they will be operating.
Truck drivers are expected to operate with an abundance of caution, given the dangers of driving a large commercial vehicle. These drivers can be held accountable for even the slightest negligence. This includes overreacting in such a way that it causes a driver to lose control of their vehicle. When a truck driver acts negligently and causes an injury collision, there could be several liable parties. For example, the company that packed a commercial truck could be liable if cargo shift contributed to a driver losing control.
Steps to Take After Irwindale Semi-Truck Accidents
A fully loaded commercial truck weighs 80,000 pounds and poses a grave risk of injury or death to other road users. According to the IIHS, “Truck braking capability can be a factor in truck crashes. Loaded tractor-trailers require 20%-40% more distance than cars to stop, and the discrepancy is greater on wet and slippery roads or with poorly maintained brakes. Truck driver fatigue is also a known crash risk.” There are several steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Victims should seek medical treatment as early as possible. Many of the injuries associated with a crash will not be immediately obvious.
- Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken. These can help reveal what lead up to the collision.
- All of the ways that the accident harmed a person should be well documented. This will include any lost wages that a person incurred as a result of their injuries.
- Victims should seek the guidance of an experienced truck accident attorney. An attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Truck accidents tend to be highly preventable in many settings. They often involve truck drivers that are not abiding by safety regulations. This can include situations where they operate their vehicle beyond permissible work hours. These accidents can be absolutely devastating for victims. They routinely leave those involved with catastrophic injuries and high medical bills. Any person injured due to the negligent actions of a truck driver may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Irwindale Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC were very concerned to learn about this fatal collision in Irwindale. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Truck companies have become increasingly brazen in recent years about sidestepping safety regulations. This is predictably led to a sharp rise in fatal and serious injury accidents. Safety should always be the number one priority of any transport company.
Have you or a loved one been harmed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of truck accident investigators is committed to helping accident victims and making California safer for all drivers through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.
