Whittier, California - Off-Duty LAFD Firefighter Stan Reza, 35, Killed in Crash With Big Rig

Whittier, California (July 24, 2026) - An off-duty Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter died after his pickup truck collided with a big rig early Friday morning on the northbound 605 Freeway near Beverly Boulevard, the department confirmed.

The Los Angeles Fire Department identified the firefighter as Stan Reza, 35, a three-year member of the department, in a post on the department's Facebook page. Reza's city of residence was not provided.

The crash was reported at approximately 2:20 a.m. on July 24, 2026, according to the California Highway Patrol, which is investigating. Reza died at the scene from blunt traumatic injuries; the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the following day.

"Our thoughts are with the firefighter's family and with every member of this department who is grieving alongside them," LAFD Chief Jaime Moore said. Officials said service and memorial arrangements will be shared once finalized.

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

Losing a firefighter this way leaves colleagues and family carrying grief that a badge and a uniform can't soften.

What to Do After a Fatal Truck Accident in California

A fatal crash between a passenger vehicle and a commercial big rig raises questions that only an investigation can answer.

• Can the family pursue a wrongful death claim while CHP's investigation is still open? Yes, a civil claim can move forward on its own timeline, separate from any criminal or administrative findings.
• What can a wrongful death claim cover? Loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the family's pain and suffering.
• Who may be liable? Depending on what the investigation finds, that can include the big rig driver, the trucking company, or a maintenance contractor.
• What does the investigation status mean for the family? Evidence like the truck's black box data and driver logs is often collected early, and preserving it matters regardless of when fault is determined.

Wrongful death claims in California must generally be filed within two years of the date of death (CCP 377.60). Reza died on July 24, 2026, so that deadline is July 24, 2028.

Contact Our Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorneys

Losing a family member in a crash with a big rig, especially one who spent his career responding to emergencies for others, leaves a family with grief that no explanation from an insurance company can touch.

Christian Contreras Law has recovered more than $200M for clients across Southern California, including cases against trucking companies and their insurers following fatal highway collisions. Our Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers know how to hold a trucking company accountable when a commercial vehicle is involved in a fatal crash.

A big rig's black box data and the driver's hours-of-service logs are often the most important evidence in a case like this, and trucking companies move quickly to preserve their own version of events.

There is no cost to speak with our office, and no fee unless we recover for the family.

Why Injured Clients Trust Christian Contreras Law

• $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

Speak With a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorney

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.