Sunland, California — Two people were killed on Friday night, April 3, 2026, after a Freightliner tractor-trailer slammed into a Honda Accord parked on the shoulder of the eastbound 210 Freeway in the Sunland area of Los Angeles County.
Big Rig Strikes Parked Vehicle on 210 Freeway Shoulder
The crash occurred at approximately 9:52 p.m. near Sunland Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley. According to the California Highway Patrol’s Altadena Area Office, the Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound when it collided with the Honda Accord, which was stopped on the right shoulder as reported by ABC7 Los Angeles.
Both occupants of the Honda were trapped inside the vehicle. First responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department worked to extricate them, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Victims Identified as Wern Saetern and Alejandra Simental
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as Wern Saetern, 25, and Alejandra Simental, 23. LAFD initially reported their ages as 35 and 40, but the Medical Examiner corrected those figures. CHP also initially reported a third fatality on Saturday morning, which was later confirmed to be an error. Two people died in the crash as reported by MyNewsLA.
Hardev Singh, 43, of Manteca, California, was identified as the truck driver. He remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and declined medical transport.
Freeway Closed for More Than Seven Hours
CHP issued a SigAlert for all eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway. The closure lasted until approximately 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning, blocking the freeway for roughly seven and a half hours while investigators processed the scene.
Shoulder Safety and Big Rig Collision Risks
Investigators haven’t determined what caused Singh’s truck to drift onto the shoulder. Investigators stated that “it has not been determined whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this traffic crash.” Why the Honda Accord was parked on the shoulder also hasn’t been disclosed.
Crashes involving big rigs striking stopped vehicles on freeway shoulders are a recurring and deadly problem. Factors that investigators look at in these cases include:
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Distracted driving or inattention
- Visibility conditions and whether the parked vehicle had hazard lights activated
- The truck driver’s speed and lane position leading up to the collision
A parked car on a freeway shoulder offers virtually no protection against a loaded tractor-trailer traveling at highway speed. When a commercial truck leaves its lane and strikes a stopped vehicle, the results are almost always catastrophic. There’s very little a passenger car can do to absorb that kind of force.
Anyone with information about this crash can contact CHP Officer C. Gilmore at (626) 296-8100.
Contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a crash involving a big rig or commercial truck on a California freeway, you need experienced legal representation. These cases require thorough investigation into driver logs, truck maintenance records, and federal safety compliance.
An experienced California truck accident lawyer can protect your rights, build a strong case, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact a qualified attorney today for a free consultation.
Photo Credit: Image created with AI
