Authorities shut down multiple lanes of the 405 Freeway after a crash in Culver City killed an infant and left a girl hospitalized.
According to preliminary information from a CHP spokesperson, the crash was first reported on the northbound side of the 405 near Sepulveda Boulevard and the Howard Hughes Parkway exit just before 4:30 a.m. Monday morning.
At a press conference later that morning, officials said they found two girls at the scene: an infant believed to be 5 or 6 months old in the roadway and a girl between 7 and 9 years old on the right shoulder.
The infant was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other girl was hospitalized with minor injuries.
“At the moment, it’s unknown how those minors arrived onto the freeway,” said CHP Officer Diaz. “This is where we’re requesting the public’s assistance.”
Witnesses report that a black sedan was seen at the site around the time of the crash, and the CHP is asking the public to report any information they have about that car to 323-644-9550.
Diaz added that it’s unknown if the children were hit by cars while on the freeway.
The ongoing investigation impacted the morning commute for many.
Video from Sky5 shows heavy traffic beginning to develop as police closed off the Nos. 5 and 6 lanes.
The closures, announced just before 5:40 a.m., remained in place until just before 9 a.m., the CHP said on X, formerly Twitter.
Nancy Fontan contributed to this report.