(L.A.) Stephanie Bañuelos, 24, Died on the 605 Freeway

Case Number: 2026-07914

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 24-year-old Hispanic female that occurred on the San Gabriel River Freeway.

The coroner’s office identified the young woman as Stephanie Banuelos.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Blunt-Force Injuries

RIP STEPHANIE BANUELOS ( May 17, 2026)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Sunday morning.

Interstate 605 South / Rivergrade Road

California Highway Patrol received multiple calls starting at 5:48 a.m. that a Hispanic female adult was walking in the center divider. She was described as having long hair and tattoos on her hand(s); she was wearing either black shorts or a skirt, possibly a tube top.

At 5:50 a.m., she was seen lying down in the #1 lane.

Two minutes later, she was back in the middle of traffic, waving her hands.

By 5:57 a.m., she had been hit by a vehicle.

Map views show only an approximate location and do not represent the exact site of the incident.

The decedent had gone missing May 16, Saturday, in Bell Gardens. She had a nose ring.

Indeed, the Department of Medical Examiner ruled this as an accident and not a suicide.