Bonita, CA (April 12, 2026) – At least one person was killed on Saturday afternoon, April 11, after a fiery crash involving a tow truck on the South Bay (54) Freeway in the Bonita area east of National City.
The crash was reported at approximately 3:34 p.m. on eastbound State Route 54 just west of the South Bay (125) Expressway. Emergency units responded after receiving reports of a vehicle fire following a collision on the freeway.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a tow truck had stopped on the right shoulder to pick up a disabled vehicle when another car slammed into the rear of the tow truck. The impact caused the car to ignite, and the vehicle being loaded onto the tow truck also caught fire.
At least one person was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the victim has not yet been released. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
How High-Speed Freeway Crashes Into Tow Operations Can Become Severe
Crashes involving disabled vehicles and tow operations on freeways can be especially dangerous due to the proximity of moving traffic. Even brief stops on the shoulder can create risk if approaching drivers fail to slow down.
When a vehicle strikes a tow truck, the force of impact can ignite fires, especially if fuel systems are damaged. These fires can spread quickly to nearby vehicles involved in the recovery process.
Emergency responders often must secure multiple lanes of traffic to safely manage fires, assist victims, and remove damaged vehicles from the roadway.
