Sheriff’s Deputy, Marcos Pena Jr., Killed in Studio City Crash on 101 Freeway

STUDIO CITY, Calif. (June 18, 2025) – Marcos Pena Jr., 31, has been identified as one of two people who died early Tuesday morning in a multi-vehicle Studio City crash on the Ventura (101) Freeway, near the Tujunga Avenue exit.

The young man was an off-duty deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters his thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Marcos Pena Jr.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic and untimely loss of Deputy Pena Jr.,” Luna said.

Deadly Crash on Ventura 101 Freeway

According to the California Highway Patrol, the traffic accident occurred around 2:19 a.m. on June 17th in the westbound lanes of the 101, where it connects to the Hollywood (170) Freeway, and the Ventura (134) Freeway.

Authorities say a black KIA compact SUV was stopped in traffic lanes due to unknown reasons when Marcos Pena and an unidentified woman exited the vehicle. As they stood in the roadway, an oncoming white International box truck hit both people and the Kia.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and confirmed the deaths of the man and the woman at the scene.

Police issued a SigAlert and closed down all lanes of the northbound 170 Freeway and the westbound 101 Freeway.

Authorities redirected traffic from the 101 Freeway to Magnolia Boulevard and Moorpark Street.

Anyone with information about the collision should call the CHP West Valley office at 818-888-0980 or the Los Angeles Communications Center at 323-259-3200 after hours.

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Johnson Attorneys Group is a personal injury law firm serving clients who are injured in California due to a negligent motorist. If you would like to contribute any information or have LEGAL QUESTIONS for a potential case, please call 1-(800) 208-3538 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).