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BARSTOW, San Bernardino County, Calif., Sept. 27, 2026 — A two-vehicle crash reportedly left at least one person hurt on Friday afternoon, September 25, on northbound I-15 near mile marker 93 outside Barstow. The California Highway Patrol said the collision was initially logged as a crash with no injuries before being upgraded once a report of injury came in.
The two vehicles came to rest in the center divider after the crash. Officers had noted a traffic hazard in the lanes shortly before that, though it is not clear whether it was related to the collision itself.
The log also shows a man near the scene was seen taking a photograph of himself and his vehicle, a detail included in the dispatch record but not explained further. The extent of any injuries has not been released, and CHP has not said how many people were involved beyond the two vehicles.
The crash remains under investigation. The California Highway Patrol has not released the names of those involved or said what led up to the collision.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
What Speed Does to a Highway Collision Like This
A crash on an interstate carries more energy than one on a city street simply because of how fast the vehicles are moving when they meet. Even a small increase in speed adds a much larger jump in the energy that has to go somewhere when metal meets metal, which is part of why highway collisions tend to cause more damage than similar crashes at lower speeds.
Closing speed matters as much as posted speed. Two vehicles approaching each other or merging at different rates can turn what looks like a minor misjudgment into a hard impact, because the gap that a driver has to react and adjust shrinks fast at freeway speeds.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28,595 large-truck occupants were injured in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023. That figure reflects how much weight and speed differences between vehicles shape the outcome of a crash, regardless of the vehicle types involved. Bumpers, crumple zones, and airbags are built to absorb a certain amount of force, but beyond a given speed threshold, that equipment has less impact to work with before the energy reaches the occupants inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can drivers do to lower their chances of a crash on the highway?
Keeping a safe following distance, avoiding distractions, and adjusting speed for traffic and road conditions all reduce the odds of a collision, especially in merge zones or where lanes narrow.
What injuries commonly result from car crashes like this one?
Whiplash, bruising from seatbelts or airbags, and soft tissue injuries are common in vehicle collisions. More serious impacts can cause fractures or head injuries, depending on speed and the angle of impact.
What usually causes crashes like this one?
Distracted driving, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, and misjudging the speed of other vehicles are among the most frequently cited factors in multi-vehicle crashes.
Why does speed matter so much in crash outcomes?
Higher speeds mean less time to react and more force released on impact. Even modest increases in speed can substantially raise the severity of a crash.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Barstow, CA
If you're involved in a crash on the highway near Barstow, move to a safe location if possible and turn on hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. Call 911 to report the collision and request medical evaluation, even if injuries aren't immediately obvious, since some symptoms take hours to appear.
Exchange information with the other driver and note details of what happened while they're fresh, including road conditions and the general sequence of events. Follow up with a doctor in the days after the crash if you notice pain, stiffness, or other symptoms, and keep any medical paperwork for your records.
