One Killed in Wrong-Way 405 Crash Hawthorne

A deadly wrong-way crash on the 405 Freeway near Hawthorne left one person dead and a vehicle engulfed in flames, with the incident involving multiple cars and prompting a roughly four-hour shutdown of northbound lanes. Reports indicate a black sedan was driving south in the northbound HOV lane around 1 a.m., with initial counts ranging from three to five vehicles, ultimately clarified as three, and at least one car catching fire. A bystander recounted finding a woman deceased at the scene and a man hospitalized, though authorities have not identified the victim yet. The crash prompted a SigAlert that diverted traffic onto Inglewood Avenue and drew responders from CHP, Caltrans, and LAPD, with the roadway reopening after about five hours. The exact reason the sedan traveled the wrong way remains under investigation, and authorities say the situation minimally affected the morning commute. Coverage across local outlets emphasizes the ongoing investigation and the unusual nature of a wrong-way crash on a major freeway.