Off‑Duty LAFD Firefighter Dies After 605 Freeway Collision with Tractor‑Trailer

In the still‑dark hours of Friday morning, a tragic accident ripped through the quiet of the 605 Freeway near Beverly Boulevard. The California Highway Patrol says a pickup truck, driven by Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter Stan Reza, slammed into a massive tractor‑trailer around 2:20 a.m.

Reza, 35, had been a member of the LAFD for three years—a relatively short but clearly dedicated tenure. He was off‑duty at the time, and the crash left him with blunt‑force injuries that proved fatal. The medical examiner confirmed he died at the scene.

There’s no mention of where Reza lived, and the department’s Facebook post that announced his death omitted a photo, likely out of respect for the grieving family. Still, the brief message was enough to let the community know that one of their own was gone.

Chief Jaime Moore, who leads the department, expressed his sorrow in a heartfelt statement: “Our thoughts are with the firefighter’s family and with every member of this department who is grieving alongside them. The department asks the public and media to keep the members, family, friends, and fellow firefighters in their thoughts.”

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. It’s not yet clear whether speed, visibility, or some other factor contributed to the collision. What is clear, however, is that a life of service ended abruptly, leaving colleagues and loved ones to pick up the pieces.

Details about funeral services and any memorial tribute will be released when they’re finalized. For now, the department and the city ask everyone to pause, reflect, and honor the memory of a firefighter who answered the call, even when he wasn’t on the clock.