31-Year-Old Killed in Koreatown Car Crash

LAPD investigating collision that flipped vehicle and ejected victim

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 31-year-old man was killed after being ejected from a vehicle that overturned in a late-night collision in Los Angeles' Koreatown neighborhood. The crash occurred at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and 1st Street, with several other people transported to local hospitals for evaluation. Police are investigating the cause of the accident, which shut down the intersection for hours.

Why it matters

Fatal car crashes are a major public safety concern in Los Angeles, which has struggled with high rates of traffic fatalities in recent years. This incident highlights the need for improved road safety measures and traffic enforcement in the densely populated Koreatown area.

The details

According to police, the crash occurred around 10:21 p.m. when two vehicles collided at the intersection, causing one car to overturn. The 31-year-old victim was ejected from the overturned vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Several other occupants from the two cars were taken to nearby hospitals in stable condition. Authorities have not yet determined if factors like speed, drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash, which remains under investigation by LAPD traffic investigators.

  • The crash was reported around 10:21 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The intersection remained closed for hours as investigators processed the scene and cleared the damaged vehicles.

The players

LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department is leading the investigation into the fatal car crash.

Los Angeles Fire Department

Emergency responders from the LAFD transported several injured individuals to local hospitals following the collision.

23-year-old driver

One of the drivers involved in the crash, transported to the hospital in stable condition.

21-year-old passenger

A passenger in one of the vehicles, also transported to the hospital in stable condition.

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What they’re saying

“Preliminary information from the Los Angeles Police Department indicates that one car was headed north on Vermont Avenue and another was moving east on 1st Street when the two collided, causing one vehicle to overturn.”

— LAPD (KTLA)

What’s next

The LAPD investigation into the cause of the fatal crash is ongoing, and officials are asking anyone with information to contact the department.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for improved road safety measures and traffic enforcement in the Koreatown neighborhood, which has seen a concerning number of fatal car crashes in recent years. Community leaders and transportation officials must work together to address the root causes and implement solutions to prevent such senseless loss of life.