HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – A catastrophic chain-reaction crash turned a busy Huntington Beach intersection into a scene of twisted metal and tragedy Tuesday afternoon, claiming one life and sending at least five others to the hospital with serious injuries.
The violent collision unfolded just after 3 p.m. at the intersection of Heil Avenue and Goldenwest Street, involving seven vehicles in what witnesses described as a “domino effect” of impacts that left cars crumpled and debris scattered across all four corners.
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Huntington Beach Fire Department crews arrived within minutes to find multiple people trapped. Using hydraulic rescue tools, firefighters extricated victims while paramedics began triage on the asphalt. One person was pronounced dead at the scene despite frantic resuscitation efforts.
Five additional patients—ranging from moderate to critical condition—were transported to nearby trauma centers, including Hoag Hospital Newport Beach and UCI Medical Center. Their current conditions have not been released.
“It was chaos—cars slamming one after another, glass everywhere,” said eyewitness Sarah Morales, who was stopped at the light when the crash began. “You could hear the brakes and then just…boom, boom, boom.”
Huntington Beach Police closed the intersection in all directions, bringing traffic to a standstill along two of the city’s heaviest-traveled corridors. Electronic signs and detour routes were activated, but gridlock stretched for miles into the evening rush hour.
Accident reconstruction specialists from both HBPD and the Orange County Sheriff’s Major Accident Reconstruction Team remained on scene late Tuesday, mapping skid marks, collecting dash-cam footage, and interviewing witnesses. Investigators have not yet determined the primary cause, though speed and possible distracted driving are among the factors being examined.
“This is one of the worst multi-vehicle collisions we’ve responded to this year,” said HBPD Sgt. Jessica Schmitt. “Our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy.”
The intersection is expected to remain closed well into Wednesday morning as the investigation continues and crews clear the heavily damaged vehicles.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant video to contact the Huntington Beach Police Traffic Division at (714) 536-5666.
This story is developing.