Woodland Hills, CA — A catastrophic car crash rocked the quiet intersection of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Dumetz Road in Woodland Hills on the evening of February 13, 2022, at approximately 9:15 p.m., leaving one person dead and two others fighting for their lives. The incident, involving a Tesla that slammed into a tree after reportedly losing control, was followed moments later by a second, unrelated collision at the same intersection, plunging the San Fernando Valley community into a night of chaos and grief.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), first responders arrived to find a Tesla sedan after striking a tree with devastating force. Three occupants were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. One, an unidentified adult, was pronounced dead at the scene despite heroic efforts by paramedics. The other two, also adults, were extricated from the mangled vehicle and rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Their identities and current conditions have not been disclosed, pending family notifications.
Preliminary investigations by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Valley Traffic Division suggest the Tesla’s driver lost control after navigating a hump in the road, a known feature on Topanga Canyon Boulevard that has sparked complaints from local residents. Witnesses reported the vehicle veering erratically before the impact, raising questions about speed, road conditions, or possible mechanical issues with the Tesla’s autonomous features, though no official cause has been confirmed. The LAPD is examining all factors, including potential driver error or environmental hazards.
As emergency crews worked to secure the scene, a second collision occurred at the same intersection just minutes later, adding to the turmoil. This unrelated crash involved two vehicles and resulted in minor injuries, with no hospitalizations reported, per LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart. The proximity and timing of the incidents overwhelmed responders and snarled traffic, with the intersection closed for hours as investigators processed the dual scenes. “It was like something out of a movie,” said local resident Javier Morales, who witnessed the aftermath. “Sirens, lights, and debris everywhere—it was heartbreaking.”
