May 30th, 2025

2 people killed in fiery crash involving semi-truck on 5 Freeway in Sylmar

Two people were killed late Thursday night when their SUV rear-ended a semi-truck and caught fire on the northbound 5 Freeway in Sylmar. The crash happened near the Roxford Street exit and caused major traffic delays into Friday morning.

The collision occurred at approximately 10:41 p.m., according to a California Highway Patrol traffic report. The SUV was traveling northbound when it struck the back of a big rig. The force of the impact ignited a fire that quickly engulfed the SUV. View the official CHP incident log.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and confirmed that both individuals inside the SUV died at the site of the crash. Authorities have not yet released their names, pending notification of next of kin.

A nearby driver who witnessed the crash described the intense aftermath.

“I ran over and signaled the truck driver to grab a fire extinguisher,” he said. “By the time he got it and began spraying, the SUV was already engulfed in flames. Even after using up the extinguisher, the fire kept burning.”

Video footage taken at the scene shows the SUV fully ablaze, with flames spreading rapidly as emergency crews arrived. First responders worked to secure the area and contain the fire while managing northbound traffic, which came to a halt for several hours.

The northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway were closed for an extended period overnight as investigators from CHP and LAFD examined the wreckage. Traffic was rerouted while fire crews extinguished the blaze and cleared debris from the roadway. All northbound lanes were reopened to traffic by approximately 5:30 a.m. Friday.

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether speed, impairment, or weather conditions were contributing factors. The semi-truck driver was not injured in the collision and remained at the scene to cooperate with investigators.

Incidents like this serve as a reminder of the dangers of high-speed freeway driving, especially in conditions of low visibility or fatigue. Rear-end collisions involving large trucks can be particularly devastating due to the difference in vehicle sizes and the potential for post-collision fires.

As of Friday morning, officials had not provided further details regarding the identities or ages of the victims. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office is expected to release more information in the coming days.

Drivers passing through the Sylmar area during the overnight hours were advised to use caution and consider alternate routes while emergency crews responded to the incident.

This crash marks another tragic incident on one of Southern California’s busiest highways. Authorities are urging all drivers to remain alert, maintain a safe following distance, and avoid distractions behind the wheel.

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