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FONTANA, San Bernardino County, Calif., Sept. 23, 2026 — A car and a semi truck collided on Tuesday afternoon, September 22, on westbound I-10 east of Cherry Avenue in Fontana, according to the California Highway Patrol. One person was hurt.
The California Highway Patrol received a report of the crash shortly before 1:40 p.m. involving a passenger car and a semi truck in the number 4 lane. Traffic units on scene described the vehicles as located on the right shoulder as the response continued.
Fire crews responding to the scene reported a vehicle fire tied to the crash and requested that one patient be transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, according to the incident log. The extent of that person's injuries has not been released.
The collision blocked the number 1 lane temporarily while Caltrans crews closed the number 4 lane for a separate closure in the area, the CHP log shows. Two to three lanes remained open to traffic during the cleanup, and a tow was called to the scene to remove the vehicles. The freeway was reported clear of the incident by around 2:24 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol has not released further details on what led to the crash. The cause remains under investigation.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
What Makes a Car-Semi Truck Collision So Damaging
A collision between a passenger car and a semi truck is defined by weight, not speed alone. A loaded semi can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a sedan, so even a moderate closing speed transfers enormous force onto the smaller vehicle. The car absorbs most of that energy because its structure has far less mass to spread it across.
Modern cars are built with crumple zones designed to fold in a controlled way and redirect force around the occupant cabin. That design works best in crashes between vehicles of similar size. Against a semi's height and frame, the impact often lands outside those zones, on the doors, roof pillars, or glass, areas with less built-in protection.
Seat belts and airbags still matter in these crashes. A belt keeps an occupant positioned so an airbag can do its job, and both reduce the chance of being thrown inside the cabin or ejected. But restraint systems are engineered around a set range of forces. When the mass difference is large, they reduce the risk of the worst outcomes without eliminating the danger posed by the weight gap itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually causes crashes between cars and large trucks?
Common factors include following too closely, unsafe lane changes near a truck's blind spots, sudden braking, and driver distraction on either side. Investigators typically look at speed, lane position, and visibility.
How does speed affect how bad a crash turns out?
Higher speeds increase the energy released in a collision, which raises the risk of serious injury and makes vehicles harder to control before impact. Even small increases in speed can significantly change the outcome of a crash.
Why is distracted driving especially risky around trucks?
A truck needs more distance and time to stop or maneuver. A distracted driver who misjudges that gap, or drifts near a truck's blind spot, has less time to react if something changes suddenly.
Do weather and road conditions play a role in these crashes?
Wet pavement, glare, or debris can extend stopping distances for both cars and trucks. Because a loaded truck already needs more room to stop, reduced traction affects it more than it does a smaller vehicle.
What to Do After a Car and Truck Collision in Fontana, CA
If you're involved in a crash with a commercial truck, move to a safe area if possible and call 911 right away. Even if you feel fine, ask for a medical evaluation, since some injuries from a high-mass impact aren't obvious right away.
Get the names and badge numbers of responding officers and ask how to obtain the official collision report once it's filed. Photograph the scene, both vehicles, and any visible damage if you're able to safely do so. Fontana drivers dealing with the aftermath of a truck-involved crash should also keep records of any medical visits and follow up with a doctor if symptoms appear in the days after the incident.
