Two Men Killed in Tragic Wrong-Way Crash on Seventh Street in Long Beach
LONG BEACH, Calif. — A tragic wrong-way collision on Seventh Street claimed the lives of two men early Wednesday morning, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting an ongoing investigation by the Long Beach Police Department.
Authorities say the fatal crash occurred around 6:20 a.m. near the intersection of Seventh Street and Terraine Avenue, just east of the popular Recreation Park area. According to Long Beach Police Department spokesperson Eric Stachura, a male driver was traveling in the wrong direction on Seventh Street when his vehicle slammed head-on into another car.
The impact of the collision was severe. Both drivers, the only occupants of their respective vehicles, were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. Their identities have not yet been released, pending notification of their next of kin. Preliminary reports suggest that the vehicles were traveling at significant speeds at the time of impact, though full details will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
“This is a heartbreaking incident, and our thoughts are with the families of the victims as we work to determine what led to this tragic event,” said Stachura in a statement to the media. “Wrong-way crashes are often sudden, unexpected, and catastrophic.”
The accident scene stretched across multiple lanes, with mangled vehicle debris scattered along Seventh Street. Firefighters and police officers responded quickly, securing the area, providing aid, and beginning the initial stages of accident reconstruction.
Police have shut down a significant portion of Seventh Street—from Santiago Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway—as the investigation unfolds. The closure is expected to remain in effect for several hours, and motorists are being urged to use alternate routes and avoid the area.
Residents in the area described being awakened by the sound of the crash. “It sounded like an explosion,” said one neighbor who lives a block away. “We ran outside and saw emergency lights everywhere. It was clear right away that it was something terrible.”
Wrong-way driving incidents, while relatively rare, often have deadly consequences due to the force of head-on collisions. Authorities are working to determine whether speed, impairment, distracted driving, or other factors played a role in this morning’s crash. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, as well as data from the vehicles, will likely be used to piece together the sequence of events.
City officials and safety advocates are once again urging the public to remain vigilant while driving and to report any erratic or dangerous behavior on the road. “We cannot emphasize enough how critical it is for drivers to remain alert and aware of their surroundings, especially during early morning hours when visibility can be limited,” said a spokesperson from the Long Beach Traffic Safety Commission.
The Long Beach Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to contact investigators at (562) 570-7355. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of two lives, suddenly and senselessly taken. Local leaders and residents alike are calling for increased awareness and safety measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
This is a developing story. More details will be released as they become available.