Manhattan Beach, CA - One Dead in Four-Vehicle Crash, Driver Arrested on Suspicion of Murder and DUI

Manhattan Beach, CA (October 9, 2026) - One person died and several others were hospitalized after a four-vehicle crash at Aviation and Manhattan Beach boulevards, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department. An on-duty officer was among those taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The crash happened at approximately 10:12 p.m. on October 9 in the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Police said an on-duty officer witnessed a traffic collision, and the officer's marked patrol vehicle and one additional vehicle were then also struck.

Officers and Manhattan Beach Fire Department personnel found multiple injured people, and one person was declared dead at the scene. Multiple people were hospitalized with critical and serious injuries.

Police allege a 35-year-old man caused the crash, which killed a passenger in another vehicle. He was released from a hospital and taken into custody on October 12, according to the department.

He was booked into the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail. The suspected offenses include murder, DUI causing bodily injury, hit-and-run causing death or serious injury, reckless driving, possession of nitrous oxide and unlicensed driving. Bail is set at more than $2 million.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

What Families Can Do After a Fatal DUI Crash in California

UC Berkeley's SafeTREC counted 1,311 deaths in California crashes involving a driver at or above the .08 blood alcohol limit in 2024. The report, prepared with the California Office of Traffic Safety, put that at 34 percent of all motor vehicle deaths in the state. Los Angeles County had an estimated 250 of those deaths, the most of any county.

The first weeks after a death bring calls, bills and forms. These steps keep a family's options open:

• Ask the Manhattan Beach Police Department for the crash report number and the name of the investigating officer.
• Ask that the vehicles involved not be released, repaired or sold until a lawyer or investigator has examined them.
• Send every insurance company call to one family member, and decline recorded statements.
• Order several certified copies of the death certificate. Banks, insurers and agencies each want one.
• Keep funeral bills, medical records and receipts, along with notes on any missed work.
• Stay off social media when it comes to the crash. Insurers read public posts.

Key Legal Points After a Fatal DUI Crash in Manhattan Beach, CA

A fatal DUI crash puts two cases in motion, a criminal prosecution and a civil claim for the family and anyone injured.

• Who may be liable: The driver police say caused the crash. The vehicle's owner may also share responsibility if someone else owns it.
• Criminal case and civil claim: Criminal charges are allegations until a court decides them. A civil claim doesn't depend on a conviction and moves on its own track.
• If fault is shared: California applies pure comparative fault. A person partly at fault can still recover, with damages reduced by their share.
• Insurance that may apply: The driver's liability policy, the injured person's own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and any policy on the vehicle. Police listed unlicensed driving among the suspected offenses, so confirming coverage early matters.
• What a claim can cover: After a death, funeral costs, lost financial support and lost companionship. For people hurt in the crash, medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering. The family members named in California's wrongful death law can file, and the estate can pursue the claims the person who died would have had.
• Deadline: The crash happened on October 9, 2026. California's two-year deadline for injury and wrongful death claims lands on October 9, 2028.

Evidence in these cases can disappear fast. Surveillance video, vehicle data and dispatch records are the items a lawyer asks to preserve early.

Questions About a DUI Crash Claim in Manhattan Beach? Talk to Contreras Law

When someone dies in a crash, one relative usually ends up fielding insurance calls, funeral bills and questions about what to sign. Contreras Law takes that weight off the family from the first call. We gather the evidence, deal with the insurers and handle the paperwork.

Founding attorney Christian Contreras leads the firm, and its recoveries include more than $200 million for clients and a $5 million wrongful death settlement. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys try 7+ jury trials each year, so insurers know a case can go to a jury.

Families in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay deserve to know whether a firm will go to trial after a fatal DUI crash. Christian Contreras Law points to this record:

• $200M+ recovered for clients
• More than $30M recovered in 2025 alone
• Takes cases to trial with 7+ jury trials each year
• Bilingual representation in English and Spanish
• Featured by ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and Telemundo
• Perfect 5.0 Star Client Rating

Call 866-836-6588, visit our Los Angeles office at 360 E 2nd St, 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012, or send us the details through our contact form.

Legal 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. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. 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.