(Van Nuys, CA) A 40-year-old woman died, and three men sustained injuries in a Van Nuys Boulevard accident at an intersection in Van Nuys.
On Wednesday, August 27, at 1:45 a.m., the Van Nuys Boulevard accident occurred. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, it happened at the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Burbank Boulevard, near a Ralphs parking lot.
Upon investigating, officers learned a Honda Civic traveled eastbound on Burbank Boulevard when it ran a red light. The Civic then struck the driver’s side of a Mercedes-Benz C300 that was heading north on Van Nuys Boulevard. The woman driving the Mercedes died at the scene. Three men inside the Honda sustained injuries. One, about 40 years old, was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Two others, both 25 years old, were also hospitalized. One victim sustained serious injuries and the other with minor injuries in fair condition.
While authorities responded, another vehicle rolled through police tape at the intersection. Officers arrested that driver on suspicion of DUI. The intersection remained closed throughout the morning as investigators examined the crash scene. The deadly Van Nuys Boulevard accident remains under investigation by the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division.
Legal Opinion on the Van Nuys Boulevard Accident
The Van Nuys Boulevard accident involves multiple serious legal issues. Police confirmed that the Honda Civic ran a red light before striking the Mercedes. This directly violates California Vehicle Code 21453, which requires drivers to stop at steady red signals. Running a red light often results in right-of-way collisions like this one, especially at major intersections. Because this violation led to a death, liability becomes significant. Under California Vehicle Code 23153, a driver who violates traffic laws and causes injury or death may face felony charges if impairment or reckless conduct is involved. While no DUI has yet been confirmed for the Honda driver, the act of running a red light alone may support a wrongful death claim.
Investigators will also consider California Vehicle Code 22350, the Basic Speed Law, which requires drivers to travel at speeds safe for conditions. Even if the Civic traveled within posted limits, entering an intersection unsafely while speeding or accelerating through a red light could still violate this law. Meanwhile, the separate arrest of a driver at the Van Nuys Boulevard accident site who ignored police tape and drove through the closed scene raises another serious violation. Driving under the influence, covered by California Vehicle Code 23152, prohibits operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. That driver may face charges regardless of the original crash.
The family of the deceased woman may pursue a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This law allows surviving relatives to seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one. The injured men inside the Honda may also pursue personal injury claims if investigators determine another party contributed to the crash.
What the Family Can Do
The family of the woman who died in the Van Nuys Boulevard accident should contact a wrongful death attorney immediately. Attorneys can secure the police report, review red-light camera data, and obtain possible surveillance footage from nearby businesses. Quick action preserves crucial evidence. Accident reconstruction experts may also determine the exact speed and path of the Honda Civic. This information helps establish liability and strengthens a civil case. The surviving victims may also benefit from legal action to recover damages for medical care, rehabilitation, and lost wages.
Although no legal action can replace the life lost, pursuing a wrongful death claim provides accountability and financial support. It may also help the family find closure while ensuring drivers take greater responsibility at intersections.
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. We know this is a difficult time as you mourn the tragic and sudden loss of a loved one. If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this horrible incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
