Hancock Park, CA – Two People Critically Injured After Driver Runs Red Light at South Highland Avenue and 3rd Street

Los Angeles, CA (May 15, 2026) – Two people were hospitalized in critical but stable condition after a two-car crash in Hancock Park left one victim trapped inside a wrecked vehicle and another ejected into a nearby wall.

Los Angeles Police Department officers and Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded at approximately 1:40 a.m. to the intersection of South Highland Avenue and 3rd Street. According to LAPD investigators, a black Honda traveling westbound on 3rd Street appears to have run a red light and collided with a gray Honda heading southbound on Highland Avenue.

The impact sent the gray Honda into a nearby wall and knocked out a traffic signal at the intersection. The driver of the gray Honda, identified as Hardy, was ejected through the passenger-side door and thrown into the wall. A female passenger became trapped inside the wreckage.

Los Angeles firefighters deployed the Jaws of Life to extricate the female passenger, a rescue effort that took at least 15 minutes. Both victims were subsequently transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where they were listed in critical but stable condition.

The crash prompted the closure of 3rd Street in both directions between Citrus Avenue and Highland Avenue for several hours. The intersection has since reopened; however, the traffic signal remained non-functional, and drivers were asked to treat the intersection as a four-way stop pending repairs by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

The identity of the female passenger has not been publicly released. The cause of the crash remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, and no further details have been disclosed.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles, CA

1. Seek medical care. Individuals involved in collisions may consider seeking medical evaluation promptly, even when symptoms are not immediately apparent, as some injuries may not present right away.
2. Be cautious with insurance communications. Individuals may wish to consult with an attorney before providing statements or signing any documents presented by insurance representatives.
3. Preserve evidence. Photographs, vehicle damage, dashcam footage, and witness contact information can be critical in determining how a crash occurred and who may be responsible.
4. Understand your rights before accepting any settlement. Proposed settlements should be carefully reviewed, and individuals may wish to obtain legal guidance before making any decisions.

Timing considerations: Under California law (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1), personal injury claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the incident. Evidence, including surveillance footage and physical evidence at the scene, can disappear well before that deadline.

Contact Our Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras represents car accident victims and their families throughout Los Angeles, including cases involving intersection collisions caused by red-light violations on streets across the city. We understand how quickly critical evidence skid marks, traffic signal data, surveillance footage, and witness accounts can be lost after a crash at a busy intersection like Highland Avenue and 3rd Street.

Our team of Los Angeles personal injury lawyers handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis no upfront costs, no hourly fees. Call (866) 837-1315 to schedule a free consultation.

Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Accident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as investigations continue. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.