Bernardo Borges Dreher Obituary, Death; Man identified as victim in fatal 405 Freeway crash.
Bernardo Borges Dreher Obituary, Death – A 42-year-old man who lost his life earlier this week on the San Diego (405) Freeway in Los Angeles has been formally identified by local authorities. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the victim as Bernardo Borges Dreher, whose life ended tragically in the Sepulveda Pass area on Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:55 p.m. on the southbound side of the 405 Freeway near Sepulveda Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Investigators believe Dreher had been standing outside a vehicle that was stopped on the right shoulder of the freeway when the fatal collision took place. Details about why he had exited his vehicle remain unclear, though footage from the crash site suggested he may have been experiencing vehicle trouble.
Authorities reported that Dreher was struck and killed instantly. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Nearby video coverage showed his body on the roadway covered with a tarp, positioned near his vehicle. A red gas can was spotted close to the car, hinting that Dreher might have been attempting to refuel or address a fuel-related issue when the tragedy occurred.
Also visible at the scene was a flatbed truck, believed to be the vehicle that struck Dreher. The truck had come to a stop a short distance away, with CHP officers surrounding it as part of their investigation. Eyewitnesses and camera crews captured images of the truck driver undergoing a field sobriety test administered by authorities. According to reports from KTLA5, the driver was later taken into custody, though officials have not yet confirmed what charges, if any, will be filed.
The crash caused significant disruption for motorists on Monday afternoon. CHP temporarily closed all southbound lanes of the freeway except the carpool lane while investigators examined the scene and collected evidence. The closure led to heavy congestion through the Sepulveda Pass, one of the busiest commuter corridors in the region.
Dreher’s sudden death highlights the dangers of exiting vehicles on major highways, where high speeds and limited reaction times can turn roadside stops into fatal situations. Authorities often urge drivers who encounter car trouble to remain inside their vehicles if it is safe to do so, or to move to a secure area away from oncoming traffic before attempting repairs.
The incident remains under investigation as CHP works to determine the exact sequence of events and whether driver impairment, distraction, or other factors played a role in the collision. The involvement of a sobriety test suggests that investigators are carefully considering all possibilities.
As friends and family mourn Dreher’s passing, officials have extended their condolences while emphasizing the importance of road safety and vigilance, particularly on high-speed freeways. For now, Dreher’s death stands as a somber reminder of the risks drivers and pedestrians face on some of California’s busiest roadways.
