Editor’s note: Original reports indicated the crash was one incident; however, a later update from law enforcement indicated that two separate crashes took place.
Four people were killed and two more injured in a pair of crashes on the 605 Freeway in Norwalk overnight.
Preliminary information on the incidents was initially scarce and it was originally believed that the vehicles were involved in one crash; however, a later update from the California Highway Patrol indicated that there were two separate collisions that occurred, one of which involved a CHP cruiser.
CHP’s incident log indicated they took place around 1 a.m. Sunday, and a press release issued early in the afternoon confirmed that the crashes took place north of the interchange with the 105 Freeway.
One of the vehicles involved, a Nissan, was driving on the southbound span when, for reasons not yet established, it clipped the squad car.
The Nissan, which was carrying four occupants, then became disabled in the #2 lane, the press release indicated.
Shortly after that, a Kia with two people inside crashed into the disabled Nissan. The four people in the latter car, which burst into flames on impact, were killed.
Authorities have not determined how much time transpired between the two collisions.
Four people were killed and two more injured in a fiery crash involving an impaired driver on the 605 Freeway in Norwalk overnight. July 20, 2025. (KNN) 
Four people were killed and two more injured in a fiery crash involving an impaired driver on the 605 Freeway in Norwalk overnight. July 20, 2025. (KNN) 
Four people were killed and two more injured in a fiery crash involving an impaired driver on the 605 Freeway in Norwalk overnight. July 20, 2025. (KTLA)
No information surrounding the decedents’ identities was available right away; CHP only listed the Nissan driver as an unnamed woman.
According to an update on the incident on Sunday morning, the female driver of the Kia, who was determined to be under the influence of alcohol, was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. Her passenger was also seriously hurt, but they are both expected to survive.
The Kia driver was identified by authorities in the press release as Iris Salmeron.
The CHP officer whose car was clipped was not injured, authorities confirmed.
Authorities lamented from the gruesome scene that the entire situation could have been avoided if better choices had been made.
“This was entirely preventable due to the fact that one of the drivers was driving under the influence,” CHP Officer Zachary Salazar said. “Our hearts go out to the families who are involved in terms of the victims…our officers are going to investigate this to the best of their ability.”
Salazar added that, once released from the hospital, Salmeron will face multiple felony charges.
A social media post from CHP’s Santa Fe Springs station stated that the affected southbound stretch of the 605 was to be closed “until further notice” because of the crash; the freeway was reopened just before noon Sunday, around 11 hours after the collision took place.
Any witnesses are encouraged to contact CHP Santa Fe Springs Area Officer J. Yoteco or Officer Z. Salazar at 562-649-6800.
