Hawthorne, CA (July 21, 2026) – One person was killed early Tuesday morning, July 21, after a wrong-way driver caused a collision on the 405 Freeway’s northbound lanes near Rosecrans Avenue in Hawthorne.
The freeway’s northbound lanes were shut down for several hours afterward, fully reopening by 5 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
Another driver was taken to a hospital, though their condition has not been released. Responders at the scene did not disclose the extent of the injuries.
Officials say the cause is still being examined.
Our condolences go out to the family of the person who died and hope for a full recovery of the injured driver.
Wrongful Death Options After a Wrong-Way Freeway Incident in Hawthorne, CA
Under California law, the surviving family of someone killed in a wrong-way freeway wreck can bring a wrongful death claim against the driver responsible.
California law allows a spouse, children, or other dependents to seek damages through this kind of claim, including lost financial support, loss of companionship, and funeral or burial costs.
In some circumstances, the deceased person’s estate can also bring a related survival action to recover for pain and suffering experienced before death, medical bills, and lost income up to that point.
Because California follows a pure comparative negligence system, any fault attributed to the person who died, even a small percentage, can reduce what the family ultimately recovers, which makes early evidence gathering important.
Skid marks, freeway camera footage, and witness accounts from the hours of the crash can all help establish that the wrong-way driver bore full responsibility, and a car accident lawyer is commonly the one who requests and preserves this evidence before it’s lost.
At Saleh Law Group, we help families in these situations across California sort out who can file a claim and what damages might be on the table.
If your family is dealing with this kind of loss, it can help to get information before deadlines or evidence issues become a problem. You can reach Saleh Law Group at (949) 431-6371 to talk through your family’s situation with our team.
