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CAJON PASS, San Bernardino County, CA, Sept. 27, 2026 — Three people were taken to a hospital Saturday evening, September 26, after a car and an SUV collided on Cajon Boulevard in Cajon Pass. The crash happened near the Cleghorn Road offramp from I-15, according to the California Highway Patrol.
San Bernardino County Fire Rescue reported the collision occurred at about 6:27 p.m. at the interchange. A witness told authorities the driver of a black sedan ran a stop sign and struck a gray SUV.
All three occupants were transported to a local hospital by county fire ambulances. The nature and severity of their injuries have not been released.
The California Highway Patrol's Inland office is investigating the crash. A preliminary report had not been issued as of this writing, and further details on the cause remain unconfirmed.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Why a Stop-Sign Collision Can Do So Much Damage
In a crash at an intersection, the force of impact lands on the side of one vehicle rather than the front-end crush zones designed to absorb it. Side structures have far less material to soak up energy than a front bumper and frame, which means less of the crash force gets dissipated before it reaches the people inside.
Weight and size differences between vehicles are important as well. When a passenger car is hit by a heavier SUV, the smaller vehicle typically absorbs more of the energy in the collision, and its occupants take on greater force than those in the taller, heavier vehicle. Seatbelts and airbags are built to manage forward or angled impacts to a point, but they cannot fully offset a significant mismatch in vehicle mass.
Running a stop sign also removes the split-second window a driver would otherwise have to brake or steer away. Whether caused by distraction, misjudging the intersection, or simply not seeing the sign, the driver who fails to stop typically enters the intersection at a speed that the other driver has no time to react to. That gap in reaction time, more than any single mechanical factor, is often what turns an ordinary intersection into the site of a serious crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,979 passenger-car occupants were killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger car and a light truck in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in car accidents like this one?
Intersection collisions often cause whiplash, broken bones, and head or chest injuries from the impact against the door, window, or steering wheel. Severity depends heavily on where the impact lands and how fast each vehicle was moving.
What typically causes crashes at stop signs?
Common causes include a driver failing to notice or stop for the sign, misjudging the other vehicle's speed, or distraction behind the wheel. Poor visibility at an interchange or offramp can also play a role.
Why does speed make such a difference in crash outcomes?
Higher speed means more energy has to be absorbed in a shorter amount of time. Even a modest increase in speed can substantially raise the force transferred to both vehicles and their occupants.
Why is distracted driving particularly dangerous at intersections?
A driver glancing at a phone or dashboard for even a second or two can miss a stop sign entirely. That short lapse removes the time needed to brake or swerve before a collision.
What to Do After a Stop-Sign Crash in Cajon Pass, CA
If you're involved in a crash like this one, move to a safe area if possible and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional, since some injuries from a side-impact collision don't show symptoms immediately.
Exchange information with the other driver and note any road signs, signals, or witnesses nearby. If California Highway Patrol or local fire crews respond, get the report number or officer's name for your records. Photographs of the vehicles, the intersection, and any relevant signage can help clarify what happened once the investigation begins.
