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February 18, 2026 06 min

Fireball Collision in Downtown LA

Crash Injures

Investigators believe that alcohol intoxication was a factor in a September 14, 2025, crash that seriously injured a half-dozen motorists and pedestrians.

The Los Angeles Police Department said the incident occurred just before 3 a.m. near the L.A. Convention Center. A man behind the wheel of a white pick-up truck was going eastbound on Venice Boulevard when he ran a red light at the intersection with Grand Avenue.

As that vehicle barrelled through the light, it slammed into a vehicle that was traveling southbound on Grand, authorities said. That vehicle, an SUV, was carrying four women. The force of the collision propelled the white truck onto the curb, where it hit two pedestrians. The truck then collided with a building and burst into flames, police said.

Five people were transported to a local hospital, where one remains in critical condition. The pickup truck driver is in custody and faces several criminal charges.

Car Crash Injuries

Large vehicle wrecks, such as SUV and pickup truck wrecks, almost always involve serious injuries, especially to pedestrians.

Large vehicles travel so fast and with so much force that no safety restraint system, no matter how advanced, can possibly absorb all of it. Pedestrians are especially vulnerable in these situations. They literally have nothing but the clothes on their backs for protection.

As a result, vehicle collisions kill or seriously injure millions of Americans every year. Some common serious injuries include:

  • TBIs: The motion of a crash often causes a traumatic brain injury. This extreme motion causes the brain to slam against the skull. The violent impact triggers brain bleeding and swelling that causes a permanent brain injury. Dead brain cells don’t regenerate.
  • PTSD: The extreme stress of a car accident triggers a chemical change inside the brain. The symptoms of this imbalance (post-traumatic stress disorder) include hypervigilance, anger, and depression. Crash-related PTSD is especially bad among pedestrian accident victims.
  • Broken Bones: Victims’ arms and legs usually flail wildly during car crashes. The resulting impacts usually crush bones. So, doctors must use advanced techniques to surgically reconstruct these bones. The more aggressive and expensive the treatment, the longer and more costly the physical therapy.

Car crash-related medical bills average more than $40,000 each. A California personal injury lawyer obtains the compensation victims need to pay these bills and move on with their lives.

Alcohol-Related Wrecks

Alcohol impairment causes about a third of the fatal car crashes in California. Even one sip of alcohol clouds judgement and slows motor skills, making it almost impossible to safely operate large machinery, such as a motor vehicle.

If emergency responders cite tortfeasors (negligent drivers) for DUI, personal injury attorneys can use the negligence per se shortcut to obtain compensation. Tortfeasors who violate safety laws and cause crashes are liable for damages as a matter of law.

Compensation is also available in alcohol impairment cases. Usually, one sip is not legally intoxicating. But it causes physical symptoms, such as an odor of alcohol and slurred speech, that indicate impairment. Since the burden of proof is so low in civil cases (a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not), a little evidence goes a long way.

Get free consultation with our personal injury lawyers

Car crashes often cause serious injuries. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in California, contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start working for you.

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FAQs

A pickup truck ran a red light near the LA Convention Center and caused a multi-vehicle collision. The crash injured motorists and pedestrians and ended in a fire.

The crash happened near the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Grand Avenue. It occurred close to the LA Convention Center.

Investigators believe alcohol intoxication played a role in the collision. The pickup truck driver was taken into custody and faces criminal charges.

At least five people were hospitalized after the crash. One victim remains in critical condition.

Large vehicles travel with extreme force that safety restraints cannot fully absorb. Pedestrians are especially vulnerable due to lack of protection.

Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and broken bones. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

The violent motion of a collision causes the brain to strike the skull. This impact can lead to bleeding, swelling, and permanent damage.

Yes, the intense stress of a crash can cause chemical changes in the brain. Pedestrians are especially at risk for crash-related PTSD.

Car crash-related medical bills often exceed $40,000. Serious injuries significantly increase treatment and recovery costs.

If a driver is cited for DUI, lawyers may use negligence per se to prove liability. Violating DUI laws can make a driver legally responsible for damages.

Reviewer
Posted by Sharona Hakim

I like the fight – the fight to hold Big Insurance accountable, the fight to find justice for real people, and the fight to level the playing field for...Read More