In the early hours of Saturday, two reindeer named Cookie and Noel slipped from their transport trailer and ran down the southbound 5 Freeway in Pacoima, causing a sudden traffic standstill.
Traffic Chaos on the 5 Freeway
At about 6:30 a.m., California Highway Patrol officers noted the animals on the southbound lane of the 5 Freeway in the Pacoima area. One of the reindeer was struck by a vehicle but is expected to be okay, according to LA Animal Services.
“It was quite a sight to see traffic come to a complete stop,” said Steven Bracamontes, who witnessed the backup.
Witness Account
Bracamontes, driving southbound just before the 118 ramp toward San Fernando, described how he saw Caltrans trucks swerving across lanes and then realized a reindeer was on the roadway. “I noticed two Caltrans trucks swerving across lanes, which is when I realized there was a reindeer on the roadway. My first thought was that Santa had lost one of his helpers,” Bracamontes said.
He captured the incident on video and noted that the reindeer began moving toward oncoming traffic shortly after.
Rescue and Recovery
LA Animal Services intervened, wrangling the reindeer and later reuniting them with their owner. The animals were rescued safely after the traffic incident.
Key Takeaways
- Two reindeer, Cookie and Noel, escaped a trailer and ran down the southbound 5 Freeway in Pacoima at 6:30 a.m.
- One reindeer was hit by a car but is expected to be okay.
- LA Animal Services rescued the animals and reunited them with their owner.
The incident highlighted the unpredictability of wildlife on roadways and the importance of quick animal rescue services to prevent further accidents.
