19-Year-Old Killed in Chain-Reaction Crash on the 101 Freeway in Encino After Stalled Car Was Hit on Video

ENCINO, CA — A 19-year-old man died early Saturday after a violent chain-reaction crash on the northbound 101 Freeway in Encino, and part of the collision was captured on video. California Highway Patrol said the crash began after a car stalled in the fast lane near White Oak Avenue just before 2 a.m.

Officials said several calls came in about the disabled vehicle with its hazard lights on. The medical examiner identified the man killed as Chaz Castillo.

Stalled car hit first

Video from the scene shows one vehicle striking the stalled car, followed by the two drivers standing outside their cars with their backs to traffic while they talked. Moments later, another car crashed into one of the stopped vehicles, setting off the pileup.

CHP said the deadly collision involved multiple vehicles, but it was not immediately clear whether anyone else was hurt.

Driver killed outside vehicles

The impact killed one of the people standing near the cars after the first crash. CHP identified the victim as 19-year-old Chaz Castillo, and investigators did not immediately release more details about the circumstances of his death.

Authorities also said someone was arrested at the scene, though they did not say what the person was arrested for.

Freeway shut down for hours

A Sigalert was issued at 2:38 a.m., closing all northbound lanes and diverting traffic to White Oak Avenue. Even after two lanes reopened, traffic remained backed up at the crash scene.

The alert was canceled around 9 a.m., and the remaining lanes were reopened to drivers.

What investigators said

CHP has not said what led to the initial stall or why the vehicles were stopped in the lane of travel. The agency’s account indicates the crash unfolded quickly after the first impact, leaving little time for drivers behind them to react.

City News Service contributed to this report.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.