At least three people were killed early Thursday morning when a wrong-way driver collided with other vehicles on the 91 Freeway in Riverside, California, triggering a multi-hour closure of westbound lanes.
The crash occurred around 2 a.m. near 14th Street and involved three vehicles, including a big rig. According to California Highway Patrol traffic logs, a vehicle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes at high speed, swerving between cars before the fatal collision.
A white SUV overturned on its side after striking a black BMW sedan and the big rig. A witness identified in CHP logs as Michelle told officers the crash was tied to the wrong-way driver.
Officers found several bodies inside the BMW, according to ABC 7. A fourth person was taken to the hospital in unknown condition, the outlet reported.
Photos from the scene showed heavy damage. The BMW’s front end was crushed with jagged metal exposed, and the white SUV was left on its side near the freeway wall, appearing to be totaled. The big rig sustained comparatively minor front-end damage. Investigators noted the big rig was facing the flow of traffic, the black car faced the opposite direction, and the white SUV lay on its side between them.
Freeway Shut Down for Hours
Caltrans issued a SIG Alert and closed all westbound lanes of the 91 Freeway along with the 14th Street onramp while crews cleared debris from the roadway.
“All lanes closed on WB SR-91 near 14th Street in Riverside due to traffic incident,” Caltrans District 8 wrote on X. “Maintenance crews are on scene for clean up. Unknown ETO. Seek alternate route if possible. Check https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov for updates.”
Traffic backed up significantly through the morning commute, with congestion still severe as of 6:40 a.m. The California Highway Patrol cleared the scene around 5:15 a.m. after closing the roadway and setting out flares.
The crash remains under investigation.
