A woman was killed in a violent solo-vehicle crash just outside Warner Bros. studios in Burbank early Wednesday.
At a Glance
- The crash happened shortly before 1 a.m. near Barham Boulevard and Olive Avenue
- The victim was ejected from a white sedan and pronounced dead at the scene
- Burbank police say speed appears to have been a factor
- Why it matters: The incident closed a major intersection and renewed concerns about speeding on studio-adjacent streets
The collision occurred in the pre-dawn hours when the white sedan careened into the intersection, striking a curb and overturning multiple times before coming to rest against a metal fence that separates the road from the studio backlot.
Location and Timing
Barham Boulevard and Olive Avenue form one of the main gateways to the Warner Bros. lot, routinely used by production trucks, tour buses, and late-night crew members ending shifts. The crash scene sits less than 500 feet from the studio’s security gate, a detail confirmed by News Of Losangeles‘s investigation.
According to the Burbank Police Department, the first 911 call came in at 12:58 a.m., with patrol units arriving within three minutes. Officers found the sedan on its roof and the driver unresponsive in the roadway.
Witness Accounts
Nearby residents told News Of Losangeles they heard what sounded like an engine racing, followed by a loud impact.
> “I thought it was a movie stunt at first,” said one neighbor who lives in an apartment overlooking the intersection. “Then I saw the car flipping.”
Security cameras from a nearby office building captured the final seconds before impact. Daniel J. Whitman reported that the footage shows the vehicle traveling well above the posted 35-mph limit before the driver appears to lose control while navigating a slight curve.
Investigation Details
Burbank Police Traffic Investigators spent more than four hours documenting the scene, using laser measuring equipment to reconstruct the sedan’s path. Key findings released so far include:
- No other vehicles were involved
- The woman was the sole occupant
- She was not wearing a seatbelt, leading to the ejection
- No signs of impairment have been ruled in or out; toxicology results are pending
Sergeant Derek Green, spokesperson for the department, confirmed that investigators are reviewing additional surveillance video from Warner Bros. security cameras that face Barham Boulevard.
Road Closure and Commuter Impact
The intersection was shut down in all directions until roughly 5:15 a.m., causing early-morning detours for studio employees and nearby residents. Warner Bros. sent an internal alert urging staff to use alternate gates, according to a studio employee who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Metro bus routes 222 and 156 were rerouted during the closure, adding 15-20 minutes to typical travel times, the transit agency said.
Previous Incidents
While Burbank police data show overall collisions trending down citywide, the stretch of Barham Boulevard adjacent to Warner Bros. has seen at least three serious crashes since 2022. Each involved single vehicles and late-night timeframes, mirroring Wednesday’s tragedy.
City engineers installed flashing beacons and larger speed-limit signs last year, but residents say more measures are needed.
> “People treat this stretch like a freeway on-ramp,” another neighbor told News Of Losangeles. “We’ve asked for speed bumps, but nothing happens.”
Victim Identity Withheld
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office has not released the woman’s name, pending notification of next of kin. Police described her only as a local resident in her 30s. Anyone with information is asked to contact Burbank Police Traffic Division at 818-238-3100.
Key Takeaways
- Speed and lack of seatbelt use proved fatal in this solo crash
- The incident happened steps from a major studio entrance frequently used by pedestrians at shift-change times
- Previous collisions raise questions about additional safety measures on Barham Boulevard
- Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and awaiting toxicology results before determining a final cause
