A U-Haul truck in North Hollywood dragged a huge tree limb down a residential block, smashing about a dozen parked cars as stunned neighbors watched on video.
Story Highlights
- Los Angeles Police Department said the truck hit a large limb that lodged between the truck and trailer.
- Officers received the call around 10:30 a.m. near Lankershim Boulevard and La Maida Street.
- Police said about 12 parked vehicles were damaged as the limb scraped along the street.
- Police reported no injuries and made no arrest, calling the event accidental.
Police Describe How A Tree Limb Turned Into A Battering Ram
Los Angeles Police Department officials said a U-Haul-style truck moved east on La Maida Street when it struck a very large tree limb that snapped off and jammed between the truck and its trailer. Officers said the limb then raked along the block, striking parked vehicles as the truck continued toward Lankershim Boulevard. Video from the scene showed a massive branch wedged in the vehicle, with debris and damaged cars lining the curb as the truck rolled past.
Police told local media that officers received calls at about 10:30 a.m. near Lankershim Boulevard and La Maida Street. The scene drew residents who watched as the truck, with the broken limb stuck in place, left a path of dents, broken lights, and scraped panels. Authorities said the branch hit and damaged roughly 12 parked cars along La Maida Street. Police said the driver was not arrested, and they reported no injuries linked to the incident.
Witness Accounts And The Immediate Damage On La Maida Street
A named resident, Clark Sean Heisler, told reporters he was among the victims and said his car was totaled when the limb struck vehicles along the curb. He also said he had to dodge the approaching branch as it swept the street. Other residents recorded video that showed the branch wedged under the truck frame and striking cars. Reporters on scene described scratched paint, shattered plastic, and bent metal across the row, while city crews worked around scattered leaves and broken twigs.
Local outlets reported that the driver was not publicly identified as of publication, and U-Haul did not respond to media requests for comment. Police told reporters the driver was allegedly unaware of the protruding limb as it dragged along the block. Officials said the event appeared accidental, so no arrest was made at the scene. Reporters noted a date discrepancy in coverage, but outlets agreed on the location and the late-morning timeline.
Safety Context: Trees, Loads, And Street Risk In Dense Neighborhoods
Federal highway safety research shows trees are a frequent fixed object in deadly roadway departure crashes nationwide, even though this North Hollywood case involved low speeds on a neighborhood street. The Federal Highway Administration reports that 56 percent of fatal crashes involve a roadway departure, and many of those include fixed objects like trees. Trees or poles make up a large share of those fixed-object impacts, underscoring how roadside hazards can turn small mistakes into major damage.
On November 7, 2026, at 7:35 a.m., #teamHCSO deputies responded to a gas station on North Dale Mabry Highway after a 911 caller reported two unresponsive people inside a U-Haul van. As deputies approached, the van began rolling forward, with two children unsecured in the back.… pic.twitter.com/o8TpR1wsGr
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) November 9, 2026
California driver guidance also stresses safe loading and hazard awareness. State materials tell drivers not to move a vehicle with a load that creates a safety risk on the road. That warning speaks to basic care: know what your vehicle is carrying, check what is dragging, and stop if anything changes how the vehicle handles. In dense streets lined with cars and mature trees, a loose or stuck object can become a moving hammer within seconds.
What Comes Next: Documentation, Accountability, And Practical Fixes
Police said no arrest was made because the event appeared accidental, and they reported no injuries at the time. Residents will now work through insurance, repair shops, and possible civil claims to cover losses. City agencies may review tree maintenance records along La Maida Street to see if pruning or prior complaints could have helped. Drivers, renters, and moving companies can also review pre-trip checks and slow-speed maneuvers on tight streets to prevent a branch strike from happening again.
Sources:
washingtontimes.com, ktla.com, cbsnews.com, abc7.com, abc7news.com
