A devastating collision between two FedEx trucks on Christmas Eve during a powerful storm brought holiday package deliveries to a standstill on a major Los Angeles freeway. High winds and heavy rain contributed to the crash, which resulted in one truck being ripped in half and scattering thousands of pounds of packages across the lanes of northbound I-5, creating a logistical crisis during the peak of the holiday shipping season.
Story Highlights
- Two FedEx trucks crashed on the northbound I-5 in Pacoima at 3:45 AM on Christmas Eve
- One truck was split in half amid a powerful storm with high winds and heavy rain
- Thousands of pounds of holiday packages are scattered across freeway lanes
- Full closure of the northbound I-5 at SR-118 caused massive traffic disruptions
- Storm conditions created hazardous driving for high-profile vehicles during peak holiday travel
Christmas Eve Storm Creates Freeway Chaos
The collision occurred at approximately 3:45 AM on December 24, 2025, as Southern California faced severe weather warnings. Strong winds and heavy rain from a powerful storm system created dangerous conditions for large vehicles on the elevated sections of Interstate 5. The crash happened at the interchange with State Route 118 in Pacoima, a critical transportation corridor in the San Fernando Valley that connects Los Angeles to Northern California.
Meteorologist Belen de Leon had issued earlier warnings about the dangerous wind conditions, which proved prophetic as the storm hammered the region. The timing could not have been worse, occurring during peak holiday travel when thousands of families were preparing for Christmas morning celebrations. The storm’s intensity created visibility issues and wind gusts that posed particular risks to high-profile vehicles like delivery trucks carrying holiday packages.
LA freeway crash sends FedEx packages flying across wet roads just before Christmas https://t.co/AYNZnUaKub pic.twitter.com/rt6KUxEzYi
— New York Post (@nypost) December 24, 2025
Massive Package Spill Closes Major Artery
NBC4 reporter Lauren Coronado described the dramatic scene: “We’re here at the crash… all the packages spilling from this truck… two different FedEx trucks that somehow collided.” The visual impact was staggering, with thousands of pounds of packages scattered across multiple lanes of the freeway. One truck suffered catastrophic damage, literally splitting in half during the collision, creating a scene that highlighted the storm’s devastating power on vehicle operations.
California Department of Transportation officials immediately closed all northbound lanes at the Paxton Street interchange near SR-118. The closure created massive traffic diversions during what should have been the final hours of holiday package deliveries. By 6:00 AM, cleanup crews were still working to remove debris and recover packages while storm conditions persisted, making the recovery operation particularly challenging for emergency responders and transportation authorities.
After a FedEx truck carrying 12,000 pounds of packages
Holiday Delivery Crisis Unfolds
The crash occurred during the peak of America’s trillion-dollar holiday shipping season, when delivery services operate at maximum capacity to ensure Christmas morning arrivals. FedEx faced the dual challenge of package recovery and maintaining service during their busiest period. The scattered packages represented countless Christmas gifts and important deliveries that families across the region were expecting for holiday celebrations.
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities in America’s logistics infrastructure when extreme weather strikes during critical periods. The San Fernando Valley corridor serves as a vital link for commerce flowing throughout California, and extended closures ripple through supply chains already stressed by holiday demand. While no injuries were immediately reported, the economic impact extended beyond the immediate cleanup costs to affect countless consumers expecting timely deliveries for Christmas morning.
Watch the report: FedEx trucks crash, close NB 5 Freeway through Pacoima
Sources:
FOX LA Video: FedEx truck crash during storm
LA freeway crash sends FedEx packages flying as storm hits just before Christmas
FedEx trucks collide on 5 Freeway, causing major delays in San Fernando Valley | KTLA
