Truck driver says he felt nauseous before crashing into Panorama City apartment complex

Truck driver says he felt nauseous before crashing into Panorama City apartment complex By Sid Garcia Thursday, August 6, 2026 12:38AM New details have emerged about the driver involved in a semi-truck crash that slammed into an apartment complex in Panorama City, sending several people to the hospital and displacing more than a dozen residents. PANORAMA CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- New details have emerged about the driver involved in a semi-truck crash that slammed into an apartment complex in Panorama City, sending several people to the hospital and displacing more than a dozen residents.

The crash occurred at about 2:20 p.m. Tuesday when a semi-truck left the roadway and struck the apartment building. The Los Angeles Police Department told ABC7 that the crash was determined to be an accident and that no arrests were made.

Mario Renderos, who witnessed the crash, said he narrowly avoided being in the truck's path. He typically parks his pickup truck near the area where the semi jumped the curb but parked across the street Wednesday being unable to find a spot.

"I parked here, and when I stopped my truck, I see the truck coming," Renderos said. "You know, the guy was driving badly. I said, 'Something happened to this guy,' and then boom ... he hit into the building ... very fast, very quickly."

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, three patients were treated at the scene. Two of them, including the truck driver, were transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

After being released from the hospital Tuesday, the driver returned to the scene and told Eyewitness News off-camera that he began feeling nauseous and attempted to pull over in the center median. He said the next thing he remembered was hearing screams inside the apartment building.

The family living in the unit directly struck by the truck said they were eating lunch when the vehicle crashed through the wall.

"I basically heard the crash ... It sounded like an explosion. My dad heard it as well," Gabriel Mirelez said.

The crash also damaged about a dozen vehicles parked on the street and continued cleanup efforts were underway Wednesday. An insurance adjuster visited the property to assess the damage.

Residents expressed relief that no one was killed.

"I'm so overwhelmed. I'm just glad that nobody got killed," Ricardo Alvarez said.

The American Red Cross is assisting 13 residents who were displaced as a result of the crash, according to the fire department. At least one unit in the apartment complex was destroyed.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: ABC7 Los Angeles. Open at source →