MONTEBELLO, CA (November 13, 2025) — The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office has identified a woman killed in a Wednesday night freeway crash as 45-year-old Erika Martinez of Montebello.
Accident Details: California Highway Patrol officers responded to the eastbound side of the Pomona (60) Freeway near Atlantic Boulevard at approximately 10:40 p.m. Wednesday. The collision involved an orange Dodge Charger and a Nissan SUV, both of which sustained major damage, according to reports from the scene.
Martinez was driving the SUV and was pronounced dead at the scene, CHP Officer Elizabeth Kravig told City News Service. The man driving the Charger was transported to a hospital by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics. The extent of his injuries was not disclosed.
The CHP issued a SigAlert for the closure of eastbound lanes for several hours while they investigated the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Investigation: The California Highway Patrol is investigating how the collision occurred between the Dodge Charger and the Nissan SUV. Officers have not released information about what caused the two vehicles to collide on the eastbound freeway or whether speed or other factors contributed to the crash.
The severity of damage to both vehicles suggests a high-impact collision. Authorities have not indicated whether any citations have been issued.
Legal Considerations: Two-vehicle freeway collisions that result in one driver’s death while the other survives require thorough investigation to establish fault. Factors such as lane changes, speed, following distance, and driver attentiveness all come under scrutiny to determine which driver’s actions caused the crash.
When major damage occurs to both vehicles, accident reconstruction becomes important in understanding the dynamics of the collision. The angle of impact, point of contact, and final resting positions of the vehicles all provide clues about how the crash unfolded.
Families who lose loved ones in freeway crashes may file wrongful death claims if the other driver’s negligence caused the collision. These claims compensate for funeral expenses, medical costs, lost future income, and the emotional impact of losing a family member. Insurance companies representing both drivers typically conduct their own investigations to assess liability.
We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Erika Martinez during this sad time.
Source: MyNewsLA