A major multi-vehicle collision on the westbound 10 Freeway in Ontario claimed the lives of at least three people and left several others seriously injured Tuesday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The crash occurred shortly before 1:15 p.m. just east of the I-15 interchange, involving multiple semi-trucks and passenger vehicles. The severity of the collision prompted a massive emergency response, shutting down several lanes for hours and creating extensive traffic backups across the region.
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Initial reports indicated two fatalities and two seriously injured individuals transported to nearby hospitals. Subsequent updates from authorities increased the confirmed death toll to three, with four others hospitalized following the violent chain-reaction collision.
A SigAlert was issued, closing all westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway except for FasTrak, and the I-10/I-15 connector road was also shut down. CHP urged motorists to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Aerial footage captured by SkyCal around 4 p.m. revealed the scale of destruction: at least three semi-trucks, a pickup truck, and several passenger cars were heavily damaged. One semi-truck was hauling a trailer loaded with debris and personal belongings, while other vehicles sustained severe front-end and side damage.
Emergency responders from CHP, Ontario Fire Department, and San Bernardino County Fire worked tirelessly to free trapped victims, clear wreckage, and manage a potential fuel spill from the damaged trucks.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims, pending notification of next of kin. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though speed and chain-reaction impacts are believed to have been contributing factors.
The crash caused significant commuter disruption, with backups extending for miles, and cleanup operations were expected to continue well into the evening. CHP is asking any witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage to come forward to assist in the investigation.
💔 This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of high-speed travel and congestion on Southern California’s busy freeways.