19-year-old Chaz Castillo tragically killed on 101 Freeway in Encino

ENCINO, CA — Chaz Castillo, a 19-year-old man, died early Saturday morning in a multi-vehicle chain-reaction crash on the northbound 101 Freeway near White Oak Avenue in Encino, the California Highway Patrol said.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Chaz Castillo. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

What happened in the 101 Freeway Accident

CHP received the first report at about 1:48 a.m. The Los Angeles Fire Department logged its initial call a few minutes later, at 1:56 a.m. According to CHP, the call described a black sedan stopped in the fast lane of the northbound 101 with its hazard lights on.

Sgt. Leon Hines of CHP said the sequence began with a single-vehicle crash that left a car disabled in the No. 1 lane. A second vehicle then rear-ended the disabled car. A third vehicle struck the wreckage and one of the people who had stepped out of the first car. Two additional vehicles were drawn into the pileup, bringing the total to five.

Video circulated by local news outlets showed two people standing outside the first disabled vehicle in the moments before the third collision. Los Angeles Fire Department crews used a jack to lift wreckage off the victim at the scene.

Most news outlets show footage right up to the collision, where it’s evident that the third collision is what killed Castillo, who was standing outside on the freeway assessing the accident.

101 Freeway closure in Encino

CHP issued a Sigalert at 2:38 a.m. and shut down all northbound lanes, diverting traffic to White Oak Avenue. All northbound lanes reopened by about 9 a.m.

Investigating Chaz Castillo’s Tragic Passing

CHP said the cause of the initial single-vehicle crash remains under investigation, and that possible driving under the influence is being looked at as a factor. ABC7 reported one person was taken into custody at the scene; CHP did not specify what the arrest was for. It is not yet clear whether any other people involved were injured.

CHP safety reminder

Sgt. Hines used the crash to repeat standard guidance for drivers who break down on a freeway:

• If the vehicle can still move, steer it onto the right shoulder, away from traffic.
• If the vehicle is stuck in a lane, stay inside, keep the seatbelt fastened, turn on the hazard lights and call 911.
• Do not stand behind, beside or in front of a disabled vehicle in live lanes, especially at night.

This is a developing story.

Call J&Y Law and Get Justice Against Negligent Parties

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of others, you may have a case against them and rights to compensation. Tragedies like this one shouldn’t become a long-lasting financial burden on you or your family. Despite the difficult time, insurance companies will still try to minimize payouts or shift blame to victims—at J&Y Law we won’t let that happen.

Call us at any time, 24/7, for a free and confidential consultation. We’re here for you.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Chaz Castillo’s family.