A well-intentioned effort to rescue a stranded kitten on a California freeway led to a three-vehicle collision near Los Angeles, according to authorities. The incident unfolded on Wednesday as two animal lovers attempted to save the feline, only to inadvertently spark chaos on the CA-91 freeway.
Kitten rescue goes awry
California Highway Patrol Officer Javier Navarro reported that the couple had been driving east on the CA-91 when they noticed the stray kitten on the freeway. The woman, who was driving, immediately exited the highway and returned to search for the animal. Slowing to 35 miles per hour in the carpool lane—the innermost lane of the freeway—the couple attempted to rescue the kitten. Once they spotted the cat, the male passenger jumped out of the vehicle to grab it, while the driver blocked traffic behind them, causing a backup of cars. It was at this point that the situation took a dangerous turn.
Chain reaction collision
As traffic began to pile up, a vehicle approaching from behind swerved to avoid a rear-end collision, but in the process clipped the back of another car. The impact sent the vehicle careening toward the man holding the kitten. “The driver of that car swerves right to avoid the pedestrian, and ends up going across all lanes and hitting a semi-truck,” Officer Navarro explained. The man holding the kitten narrowly avoided being struck by jumping over the centre divider. However, in his haste, he accidentally dropped the cat.
No injuries reported, including the Cat
Despite the multi-vehicle crash, no injuries were reported among the drivers or passengers involved. Three vehicles sustained damage in the collision, but fortunately, there were no serious consequences—except for the fate of the kitten. As for the feline, it managed to escape unharmed amidst the chaos. “He doesn’t get hit, he doesn’t get hurt. He made it across on his own,” Navarro confirmed.