IRWINDALE, CA — A horrific multi-vehicle collision caused absolute gridlock on the Foothill (210) Freeway on Saturday morning, June 20, 2026, leaving one person dead, dozens injured, and major commuter lanes shut down for hours.

The disaster unfolded at approximately 9:00 a.m. near the Irwindale Avenue on-ramp. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a commercial semi-truck—bearing Target corporate branding—was traveling eastbound when the driver lost control. The massive big rig jackknifed, violently smashed through the concrete center divider median, and barreled directly into oncoming westbound traffic, striking at least two other vehicles.

Emergency crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department rushed to the chaotic scene. The impact was so severe that one victim was pronounced dead at the location.

First responders faced a mass-casualty event on the asphalt, evaluating more than 30 people involved in the pileup. Among those assessed, two individuals suffered severe, life-threatening injuries and were immediately rushed to local trauma centers.

Another eight victims sustained minor injuries and were transported for further medical evaluation, with officials shockingly confirming that six of those injured were juveniles. Meanwhile, an additional 22 people involved in the collision were evaluated by paramedics at the scene but ultimately declined transportation to the hospital.

The severity of the crash and the debris scattered across both sides of the freeway forced authorities to completely lock down the corridor. At 9:14 a.m., the CHP issued a SigAlert, shutting down all westbound lanes of the 210 Freeway between Irwindale Avenue and the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway transition.

The impact also paralyzed the eastbound side, where the carpool lane and two left lanes were blocked to give emergency crews and investigators safe space to operate. Commuters faced massive delays as traffic backed up for miles while heavy tow trucks worked to remove the mangled wreckage and repair the pulverized concrete divider. The lanes were finally reopened and the SigAlert was canceled around 3:40 p.m., nearly seven hours after the crash initiated.

The cause of the crash remains under active investigation by the CHP, and authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased victim.

Following the incident, a corporate spokesperson for Target issued a statement expressing heartbreak over the tragedy: "We are deeply saddened by a fatal crash involving a Target trailer near Irwindale, California. Our thoughts and condolences are with all those impacted by this tragic incident, as well as their loved ones. We're working closely with local law enforcement..."

Officials noted that the trailer was being operated by a third-party transport center and that the driver was not a direct Target employee. Investigators are looking into potential factors, including mechanical failure or distracted driving, to determine exactly what triggered the fatal jackknife.