On the morning of June 27, 2025, a devastating car accident claimed the life of a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant on the 405 Freeway in West Los Angeles, sending shockwaves through the community. The incident, which occurred near Wilshire Boulevard in the Sepulveda Pass, unfolded around 2:20 a.m., transforming a routine early morning into a scene of heartbreak and chaos.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the crash involved multiple vehicles, with the sequence of events beginning when LAPD Sergeant Shiou Deng, a 26-year veteran, stopped to assist motorists involved in an initial collision. Known for his dedication, Deng was attempting to ensure the safety of those stranded on the busy freeway when tragedy struck. According to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Deng was hit by oncoming traffic, resulting in his death at the scene. The collision caused a chain reaction, involving at least two other vehicles, and shut down southbound traffic for nearly 10 hours as authorities worked to investigate and clear the wreckage.
Details from the CHP indicate that one vehicle was positioned on the right shoulder, while another was disabled in the HOV lane, complicating the scene. Emergency responders, including the Los Angeles Fire Department, arrived swiftly, but despite their efforts, Deng could not be saved. The county coroner was called to the scene, and tow trucks were dispatched to remove damaged vehicles, including a silver sedan with significant front-end damage.
The loss of Sergeant Deng, who had served the LAPD since 1999, has left the department and the city in mourning. “This is a sad day for our city,” said Mayor Karen Bass at a news conference later that morning. “Sergeant Deng lost his life attempting to save others, embodying the selflessness we cherish in our officers.” Deng, a respected figure in the West Los Angeles division, leaves behind a legacy of service and a grieving family, including his wife and two children.
Posts on X reflected the public’s shock and sorrow, with many praising Deng’s heroism while others called for improved freeway safety measures. “Another life lost on the 405. When will we address reckless driving?” one user wrote, echoing growing concerns about traffic fatalities in the region. The CHP is investigating the cause of the crash, including whether speed, impairment, or road conditions played a role. Preliminary reports suggest no arrests have been made, but the inquiry remains active.
The accident adds to a troubling trend of traffic fatalities in Los Angeles County. According to CHP data, the region has seen a rise in deadly collisions in 2025, with over 50 fatalities reported on the 405 Freeway alone since January. Community advocates are now urging drivers to exercise caution and are pushing for stricter enforcement of traffic laws in high-risk areas like the Sepulveda Pass.
As West Los Angeles grapples with this loss, tributes to Sergeant Deng continue to pour in, with a candlelight vigil planned for the weekend outside the LAPD’s West LA station. For now, the city holds its breath, hoping for answers and healing in the wake of a tragedy that has left an indelible mark.
Source: Los Angeles Times, June 24, 2025