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SAN BERNARDINO, San Bernardino County, CA, Sept. 25, 2026 — A multi-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 10 east of Mountain View Avenue left at least one person dead Thursday night, September 24, according to the California Highway Patrol. At least one vehicle caught fire and burned in the roadway, closing lanes for hours.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash was first reported around 9:44 p.m. as a vehicle possibly rolling over or spinning out in the number one lane. Within minutes, dispatch logs describe multiple vehicles involved and a car fully engulfed in flames on the westbound side near Mountain View Avenue. A caller reportedly said one vehicle was airborne before the crash.
Fire crews confirmed one person dead inside a burning vehicle and requested the coroner, according to CHP dispatch records. The agency said as many as four vehicles were ultimately involved, and investigators noted a dark colored Toyota Camry, a pickup truck, and a black Ford F-150 among the vehicles reportedly involved at various points in the incident. It remains unclear how many people were in each vehicle or whether anyone else was hurt.
All westbound lanes were shut down for a time so fire crews could reach the burning car, with traffic diverted onto the shoulder or off at Mountain View Avenue, the CHP said. Investigators later moved all vehicles off the freeway near Mountain View Avenue and notified San Bernardino police and Redlands police of related traffic issues in the area, including a separate report of an involved party near a gas station on Alabama Street and Industrial Parkway in Redlands.
The cause of the crash has not been released and remains under investigation.
Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk When a Highway Crash Turns Into a Fire
Vehicle fires after a crash are rare, but when they happen, the outcome depends on how quickly occupants can get out or be pulled out. People trapped by a jammed door, a rolled vehicle, or a hard impact face the highest risk, since fire and smoke can spread through a passenger compartment in under a minute.
Late night and early morning crashes carry added danger because visibility is lower and other drivers approaching the scene have less time to react to stopped traffic or fire crews working in the roadway. Responders and bystanders near a burning vehicle are also exposed to smoke, fumes, and the risk of secondary crashes as other cars merge around the scene.
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. Mismatched vehicle sizes and weights, such as a pickup truck striking a sedan, tend to put occupants of the smaller vehicle at greater risk of serious injury or death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Turn on hazard lights, stay in your vehicle if it's safe to do so, and move as far from travel lanes as possible. If you must get out, move well away from traffic and any smoke or fire.
How does fog or low visibility contribute to pile-ups?
Reduced visibility shortens the time drivers have to see stopped or slowed traffic ahead, which can turn one crash into a chain-reaction pile-up as following vehicles run out of room to stop.
Why is following distance so important?
Extra space gives a driver more time to brake or steer around a hazard. On freeways, tighter following distances are a common factor in rear-end and multi-vehicle collisions.
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck?
Yes. Stopped or slowed traffic near an original crash creates a hazard for approaching drivers, and secondary crashes are a recognized risk until lanes are cleared and traffic flow returns to normal.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in San Bernardino, CA
If you're involved in or witness a multi-vehicle crash, call 911 right away and give your exact location, including mile markers or nearby exits if you're on a freeway. Stay in a safe spot away from traffic lanes and any fire or smoke, and let trained responders handle extraction or firefighting.
Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical professional afterward. Adrenaline can mask injuries like whiplash or internal bruising for hours. Once you're safe, request a copy of the official crash report from the California Highway Patrol for your own records.
