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BERMUDA DUNE, Riverside County, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 — A hit-and-run crash Wednesday evening, September 23, injured at least one person near the intersection of Avenue 41 and Washington Street in Bermuda Dune, according to the California Highway Patrol. A gray Porsche was reportedly among the vehicles involved, and officers were searching for a red pickup truck believed to have fled the scene.
The California Highway Patrol logged the collision as a hit and run with injuries. One vehicle involved, a white SUV, was described in the report as a victim vehicle. Responding units also arranged for a tow of a gray Porsche from the scene.
Investigators said the suspect vehicle is a red pickup truck fitted with a roof rack, with heavy damage to its front end. The report noted the front bumper was torn off and the front left wheel was bent. The truck was later tied to a 2016 Chevrolet pickup registered out of Kansas City, Missouri, though that connection has not been confirmed.
Fire crews briefly blocked part of a lane near the intersection while working the scene.
The extent of the injuries has not been released, and the crash remained under investigation as of Wednesday night. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a speedy recovery.
Where Hit-and-Run Crashes Happen Most
Hit-and-run crashes tend to cluster at busy intersections and along wide arterial roads rather than on quiet residential streets. Drivers who cause a crash at a signal or a multi-lane crossing often have an easier path to flee, merging back into traffic before anyone can get a plate number or a clear look at the vehicle.
Unsignalled intersections carry their own risk. Without a light controlling the flow, drivers misjudge gaps or run through a stop, and the moments after impact are often chaotic enough that a fleeing vehicle draws less immediate attention. Stretches of road near highway exits and commercial corridors, where traffic is heavier and vehicles are less familiar to each other, show up often in hit-and-run reports as well.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 70 percent of people killed in hit-and-run crashes were pedestrians and bicyclists in 2023. That figure points to a pattern beyond just roadway design: the people most exposed in these crashes are often outside a vehicle altogether, not inside one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a driver do if they're hit by a vehicle that flees the scene?
Stay at the scene, call 911, and try to note the other vehicle's color, type, and any visible damage or plate digits. Written details fade fast, so jotting them down right away helps investigators.
What injuries are most common in car accidents like this one?
Whiplash, bruising from seatbelts, and cuts from broken glass are common in moderate-speed collisions. Head and chest injuries can occur even when a vehicle looks only lightly damaged.
What typically causes hit-and-run crashes?
Distraction, failure to yield at intersections, and impaired driving are frequent factors. Fear of legal consequences is often what drives a person to flee instead of stopping.
Does speed change how serious a crash is?
Yes. Impact force rises sharply with speed, so a crash at higher speed produces more severe injuries and more vehicle damage than the same crash at a lower speed.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Bermuda Dune, CA
If you're involved in a hit-and-run, get to a safe spot and call 911 right away. Even if you feel fine, ask for medical evaluation at the scene or soon after, since some injuries don't show symptoms immediately.
Take photos of your vehicle, the surrounding area, and anything you remember about the vehicle that left. File a report with the California Highway Patrol or local police and get a copy for your records. If anyone nearby saw what happened, ask for their contact information before they leave, since witness accounts can matter later.
