Northbound 5 Freeway at Sheldon Street: Pickup Truck Wedged Under the Back of a Semi-Truck
SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA (October 14, 2026): A man was killed in a Sun Valley big rig crash on Wednesday morning, October 14, 2026, when a pickup truck ran into the back of a semi-truck on the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway just south of Sheldon Street, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Fire Department, as reported by City News Service, KTLA and ABC7.
The collision was reported at about 11:06 a.m., the CHP said. Aerial video from KTLA and ABC7 showed a white pickup truck with severe front-end damage stopped behind the big rig, partially wedged underneath its rear. Firefighters tried to free the pickup driver, KTLA reported, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. A second man suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, according to the fire department.
Northbound lanes were shut down and a SigAlert was issued, with traffic diverted off the freeway at Sheldon Street and backed up toward Glenoaks Boulevard, according to the CHP and news reports. City News Service reported that a separate collision happened in a middle lane just north of the fatal crash scene, near Osborne Street.
The CHP has not released the name of the man who died, which vehicle the injured man was in, or whether the big rig was moving, slowing or stopped when it was struck. Authorities have not said what caused the crash or which company operated the semi-truck.
Liability for Sun Valley Big Rig Crashes
In a rear-end collision with a commercial truck, responsibility is not decided by which vehicle was struck. Under California Civil Code § 1714, every driver generally owes others reasonable care, and California applies comparative fault, so responsibility can be shared. Trucking companies are generally responsible for the conduct of their drivers on the job, and federal rules require most trailers to carry a rear impact guard under 49 C.F.R. § 393.86. Families may generally bring a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60.
- Underride: Video showed the pickup partially under the back of the trailer. Whether the rear impact guard was present, maintained and did its job is a question investigators can examine.
- Speed and position of the truck: Whether the big rig was traveling at freeway speed, slowing in traffic or stopped in a lane, and whether its lights were working, can change how fault is assigned.
- Nearby collision: A second crash was reported close by. Whether traffic conditions or a slowdown played a role is part of the full picture.
- Truck records: Electronic logging devices, dashcams and the truck’s event data can show speed, braking and hours of service in the seconds and hours before the crash.
These records belong to the trucking company and can be lost or overwritten if no one asks for them early. A formal request to preserve evidence is often an important first step.
Steps to Take After a Sun Valley Big Rig Crash
Crashes with large trucks are especially deadly for people in smaller vehicles: according to NHTSA, most people killed in crashes involving large trucks were occupants of other vehicles. Families and injured people can generally:
- Get the CHP report: Ask the CHP for the collision report number and the investigating officer’s name, and request the report once it is complete.
- Identify the carrier: The truck’s USDOT number, shown on the cab, identifies the company in federal safety records.
- Preserve evidence: Keep photos, damaged property, medical records and the names of any witnesses, including drivers in the nearby collision.
- Be careful with insurers: Trucking insurers often contact families quickly. It is generally wise to understand your rights before giving a recorded statement.
Deadlines matter. Wrongful death and personal injury claims in California are generally subject to the two-year limit in Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, and trucking insurers and carriers may have their own notice procedures. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Sun Valley Big Rig Crash
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, extend our condolences to the family and friends of the man who died on the 5 Freeway in Sun Valley, and we wish the injured man a full recovery. Two questions stand out: was the big rig moving with traffic or stopped in a travel lane when the pickup struck it, and did its rear impact guard keep the pickup from sliding under the trailer?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our truck accident attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 14, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 14, 2026.
