Two Men Killed in Early-Morning Winnetka Crash on Parthenia Street
What happened in the Winnetka crash?
Shortly after 2 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, a sedan traveling westbound on West Parthenia Street left the roadway and struck a pole near Sunny Brae Avenue in Winnetka, in the San Fernando Valley. Los Angeles Fire Department crews found one occupant deceased at the scene and had to cut the roof off the vehicle to free a second occupant, who was hospitalized. According to later reporting from NBC Los Angeles citing the Los Angeles Police Department, the second man also died. Both were described as being in their twenties. Police indicated the car was traveling at a high rate of speed, no other vehicles were involved, and drugs and alcohol were not suspected. The investigation remains open.
Our thoughts are with the families of both men. The information below is general California law — not a statement about this crash or anyone’s responsibility for it.
Who can bring a wrongful death claim in California?
Under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, a wrongful death claim generally belongs to the surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and — where there is no surviving spouse or issue — other heirs such as parents. These claims compensate the family for lost financial support, funeral expenses, and the loss of the person’s love, companionship, and guidance. A separate survival action can recover losses the deceased person’s estate sustained.
In a single-vehicle crash, a passenger’s family may have a claim under the driver’s liability insurance, even when the driver also died — that is what liability coverage exists for. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can sometimes provide another avenue. Our page on fatal car accidents in Los Angeles County explains these claims in more detail.
How long do families have to act?
Most California personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. But there is a critical exception: if a government entity is involved — such as a city responsible for roadway conditions or a city-owned pole — a formal written claim must generally be presented within six months of the incident under Government Code § 911.2, before any lawsuit can be filed.
Evidence also disappears fast. Vehicle event data can be lost when a car is salvaged, and nearby surveillance footage often overwrites itself within days. Preserving it promptly matters regardless of any filing deadline, so families should confirm their specific deadlines with an attorney as soon as possible.
Talk to a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney
If your family has been affected by a serious or fatal crash in Winnetka or anywhere in Los Angeles County, contact Oaks Law Firm for a consultation specific to your situation. There is no obligation — just clear answers about deadlines, evidence, and coverage. Our San Fernando Valley personal injury attorneys are available to meet at any of our California office locations, or we can come to you.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented may not reflect the most current legal developments and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney. Every personal injury case involves unique facts and circumstances, and the outcome of any case depends entirely on those specific facts. Any results, settlement amounts, or verdicts referenced in this content are specific to the individual cases described, are not typical, and do not guarantee, promise, or predict a similar outcome in your case. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Oaks Law Firm. Contact us directly for a consultation specific to your situation.
