Crash Illustrates the Dangers of Red Light Runners

On Friday, May 4, 2018 around 12:00 p.m., a two-vehicle collision occurred in Chandler at the intersection of Chandler Blvd. & Los Feliz Dr.  A silver Honda sedan was traveling eastbound on Chandler Blvd., approaching the Los Feliz Dr. intersection.  As the Honda continued towards the intersection, the traffic signal cycled from yellow to red.

The silver Honda continued eastbound and entered the intersection on a red signal.  As the Honda was traveling through the intersection, a vehicle began to proceed northbound through the intersection on a green signal.  The operator of the Honda was forced to swerve to avoid striking this vehicle.

Upon doing so, the silver Honda drove over the raised median and continued traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Chandler Blvd.  From there, the Honda struck a white Chrysler minivan (Waymo autonomous vehicle), which was traveling westbound and slowing for the red signal at Los Feliz Dr.  The Chrysler was in manual mode and the vehicle operator was the lone occupant.

Investigators were able to determine the silver Honda was traveling at approximately 40 m.p.h. when it entered the Los Feliz Dr. intersection.  When the eastbound light cycled red, the Honda was approximately three seconds behind the intersection.  At 40 m.p.h., this places the Honda approximately 180 feet behind the intersection when the light cycled to red.

Both vehicles involved were towed from the scene with significant damage.  The operator of the white Chrysler sustained injuries which required hospitalization.  On May 5, 2018, the operator of the silver Honda was cited for a red light violation (28-645a(3)a).