Elya Tsatinyan, 40, Died in Three-Vehicle Semi-Truck Accident on Pearblossom Highway by 195th Street East in Llano
LLANO, CALIFORNIA (January 17, 2026) – A woman identified as Elya Tsatinyan has tragically died in a Llano semi-truck accident on Pearblossom Highway.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the accident took place around noon on Wednesday. A passenger vehicle was traveling west on the highway when they drifted into eastbound lanes of traffic.
That driver subsequently collided with an eastbound 2015 Peterbilt truck hauling two loaded dump trailers. The driver of the truck lost control of their vehicle and entered into westbound lanes of traffic before striking a 2026 Range Rover carrying Elya Tsatinyan as a passenger.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help all of the victims. Sadly, Elya Tsatinyan died due to the severe nature of her injuries.
A woman and a girl in the sedan were airlifted to the hospital to receive treatment. An investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Llano Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck drivers must acquire a commercial license and are expected to operate with a great deal of caution to avoid causing accidents. Pursuant to CA Veh Code § 21658, “A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.” Several factors could contribute to a truck accident.
- Speed: Truck drivers may lose control of their vehicle if they are traveling at an unsafe speed.
- Scanning: Truck drivers are substantially more likely to be involved in a collision if they fail to adequately scan the road ahead of them.
- Overcorrection: Truck drivers are often involved in collisions if they overcorrect their vehicle after an initial crash.
- Fatigue: Truck drivers could easily lose control of their vehicle if they become fatigued and allow it to drift.
There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that enters into opposing lanes of traffic and collides head-on with another vehicle. These types of accidents are nearly always the result of drivers that are failing to abide by all traffic laws. Depending on the facts of any case, there could be multiple liable parties for a truck accident. This may include multiple drivers. It could also include a truck company if a truck driver was working at the time of a collision.
Steps to Take After Llano Semi-Truck Accidents
Many people are seriously injured or killed every year in accidents with commercial trucks. Given the weight and size of these vehicles, they can be extremely dangerous at lower speeds. According to the IIHS, “Most deaths in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. The main problem is the vulnerability of people traveling in smaller vehicles. Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes.” Certain steps should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Accident Report: The accident report created after the collision should be carefully reviewed. These reports represent an officer’s initial impression of what happened. However, they may contain inaccuracies.
- Physical Evidence: All of the physical evidence related to the collision should be carefully documented. This includes debris that may have been created in the roadway and the vehicles involved in the crash.
- Digital Evidence: Photos and surveillance footage that may have captured the accident site should be preserved. These can be enormously helpful in determining what parties could be liable for the crash.
- Independent Review: Any person affected by a semi-truck accident should seek an independent review of the incident by a team with experience in tort claims.
Semi-truck accidents can be complex events. The factors that contribute to any truck accident can take place hours, days, and even weeks beforehand. Unfortunately, truck companies will virtually never accept responsibility if one of their drivers causes a collision. These companies and their insurance providers are more likely to blame third parties. This is why it is so important that these incidents are properly reviewed by an outside party. The family of any person who died in a truck accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through California Civil Code 377.60.
Investigating Los Angeles County Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Elya Tsatinyan. It is our sincere hope that the two other victims will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. Several questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the semi truck prior to the collision? What is the safety record of the company that owned the truck?
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County truck accident? Our team of truck accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims understand their legal rights and holding truck companies accountable for their wrongful conduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique circumstances of any collision, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
