The deadly collision happened around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Burbank and Van Nuys boulevards, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police say the driver of a Honda is believed to have run a red light before hitting a Mercedes. The driver of the Honda was then arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
A passenger in the Mercedes died at the scene. Three passengers in the Honda were taken to the hospital in unknown conditions.
Bobbi Boston, who lives near the scene of the tragic accident, says that stretch of Burbank Boulevard is like a racetrack late at night.
"Almost every night, there's people that race up and down... I don't know what the solution is but, you know, these are the consequences," Boston said.
Meanwhile, police are investigating anything that may have contributed to the crash.
During their investigation, police say another vehicle went through the caution tape they had set up around the scene. That driver did not collide with anything else but was also arrested for DUI.