A fatal car accident in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, left two people dead and multiple others injured Tuesday evening after an SUV collided with a Metro bus near the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue.
The crash happened shortly after 5 p.m. on September 15, 2026, prompting a major emergency response as firefighters worked to reach people trapped inside the bus.
Los Angeles Fire Department crews reported numerous injured patients at the scene, while authorities shut down the surrounding area as rescue operations and the investigation continued.
Chatsworth Crash Leaves Two People Dead
The collision involved a Ford SUV and a Metro bus in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley.
Images from the scene showed the SUV heavily damaged and lodged against the side of the bus. Firefighters responded to rescue people who were trapped following the impact.
The Los Angeles Fire Department later confirmed that two people died in the crash.
At least six other people were transported to local hospitals, according to subsequent reports. Their conditions were not immediately available.
Where Did the Chatsworth Accident Happen?
The crash occurred near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue, in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the area shortly after 5 p.m. The severity of the collision required a substantial response, including personnel working to extricate people trapped inside the Metro bus.
The intersection remained closed while emergency personnel dealt with the crash and investigators began examining what happened.
Drivers in the area were affected by the closure and emergency response.
Chatsworth Car Accident Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident | Fatal car and Metro bus collision |
| Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Time | Shortly after 5 p.m. |
| Location | Nordhoff Street near De Soto Avenue |
| Area | Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California |
| Vehicles involved | Ford SUV and Metro bus |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Other patients | At least 6 hospitalized |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Road status | Area closed during emergency response |
| Victim identities | Not immediately released |
Firefighters Rescue Trapped Bus Passengers
The force of the collision caused significant damage to the Metro bus and left people trapped inside.
LAFD personnel carried out a physical rescue operation while medical teams assessed passengers and other people affected by the crash.
The department reported that eight patients were ultimately accounted for in connection with the collision, including the two people who died and six who were transported to hospitals.
The exact circumstances of the collision remain under investigation.
Authorities have not established from the available information why the SUV struck the bus or whether any particular factor contributed to the crash.
Victims’ Identities Have Not Been Released
Officials had not immediately released the names, ages or genders of the two people killed.
It was also not immediately clear from the initial information whether both deceased victims were passengers, occupants of the SUV or otherwise involved in the collision.
Authorities are expected to release additional information as notifications are completed and the investigation develops.
Until then, identifying information should not be assumed from social-media posts or unrelated reports involving other Chatsworth crashes.
Investigation Into the Collision Continues
The circumstances leading to the crash remain under investigation.
Investigators will examine the vehicles, roadway conditions, witness accounts and other available evidence to determine how the collision occurred.
No specific cause or responsibility should be attributed to either driver based solely on early reports.
The initial emergency response focused on rescuing trapped people, treating the injured and securing the crash scene.
Additional details may become available as authorities complete their investigation.
Separate Helicopter Crash Near Chatsworth Accident Scene
The Chatsworth bus crash was followed by another tragedy nearby when a news helicopter covering the traffic accident crashed at approximately 7 p.m. in the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue.
The helicopter was identified as an NBC4/Telemundo 52 news aircraft operated by Angel City Air.
Three people were killed in the helicopter crash, while another person was transported to a hospital. The aircraft went down between commercial buildings and the resulting fire damaged four automobiles and two storage containers.
The helicopter crash was a separate incident from the Metro bus and SUV collision, although the aircraft had been covering the earlier Chatsworth accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are handling the investigation into the helicopter crash.
Chatsworth Community Faces Two Tragedies
The two incidents brought an extraordinary emergency response to the Chatsworth area Tuesday evening.
The original roadway collision had already resulted in two deaths and multiple injuries when the nearby helicopter crash added another fatal incident.
For the families of those killed in the bus collision, the immediate priority is now grieving the loss of their loved ones while authorities work to establish what happened.
The identities of the victims had not yet been publicly released in the initial reports.
What Happened in the Chatsworth Car Accident?
The available information confirms that an SUV and Metro bus collided near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. on September 15.
Two people died and at least six others were hospitalized.
However, investigators have not yet released a complete explanation of what caused the collision.
As authorities continue examining the circumstances, further information could clarify the sequence of events and provide additional details about the victims and those injured.
Disclaimer
This article is based on early reports concerning a fatal vehicle and Metro bus collision in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, on September 15, 2026. Authorities confirmed two deaths and multiple injuries, but victim identities and the precise cause of the collision were not immediately available. The nearby helicopter crash was a separate incident that occurred later while a news aircraft was covering the roadway crash. Details may change as official investigations continue