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Riverside, CA (April 14, 2026) – A vehicle and train collided in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 12, near the intersection of 12th Street and Howard Avenue in Riverside. Two people were taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation following the crash. According to initial reports, both individuals had reportedly exited the vehicle before the train made contact with it.
Emergency units responded to the scene to assist those involved. The circumstances surrounding how the vehicle came to be on the tracks remain unclear at this stage.
The incident remains under review by authorities. Our thoughts are with those affected as they continue to recover.
What Happens When a Vehicle Gets Struck by a Train in California?
Train and vehicle collisions at railroad crossings are among the most severe types of road incidents. In California, these crossings are regulated to include warning systems such as flashing lights, bells, and crossing gates designed to alert drivers before a train approaches. When a vehicle stops or stalls on the tracks, the outcome can be serious even at low train speeds, given the massive weight difference between a train and a passenger car.
Survivors of these collisions often note that exiting the vehicle immediately — and moving away from the tracks — is the safest course of action if a train is approaching and the vehicle cannot be moved. California’s railroad safety guidelines recommend drivers never stop on tracks and to keep moving through a crossing even if traffic is backed up ahead.
