LOS ANGELES — 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. Two of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
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.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, one person was found dead on the bus, and another person who was ejected from the bus also died. Firefighters noted that six others were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries sustained in the collision.
The Metro bus was operating on Line 166 at the time of the crash.
Aerial footage from AIR7 showed the SUV appearing to have almost driven completely through the left side of the Metro bus, with the front of the vehicle embedded in the bus structure. Firefighters had to use specialized equipment to separate the two vehicles to reach trapped victims.
At the height of the response, there were 56 firefighters at the scene, according to LAFD spokesperson Jennifer Middleton. An urban search and rescue team was also deployed to assist with extricating victims.
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.
Investigation Into the Chatsworth Crash
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.
Initial reports suggested the bus may have been crossing the intersection when it was struck by the SUV on its left side, causing both vehicles to veer off the roadway. It is possible that one of the vehicles may have run a red light, though authorities have not confirmed this.
The intersection where the crash occurred is expected to remain closed for an extended period while investigators process the scene.
What We Know
· A Ford SUV collided with a Metro bus in Chatsworth on September 15, 2026
· The crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue
· Two people died in the crash: one found dead on the bus, one who was ejected
· Six others were hospitalized, with two in critical condition
· The Metro bus was operating on Line 166
· Firefighters performed a physical rescue to extricate trapped passengers
· The intersection was closed for an extended period
· The cause remains under investigation
What We Don’t Know
· The identities of the two people who died
· Whether the deceased were bus passengers or SUV occupants
· The exact cause of the collision
· Whether any traffic violations contributed to the crash
· The current conditions of the hospitalized victims
· Whether the SUV driver survived
About the Location
Chatsworth is a neighborhood in the northwestern San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. The intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue is a major commercial and commuter corridor, with nearby businesses, industrial facilities, and residential areas.
The crash occurred feet away from a bus stop, in an area that sees significant pedestrian and vehicular traffic during evening commute hours.
A Developing Story
This article reflects the limited official information available at the time of publication. As with any developing incident, details may change as authorities release additional information.
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