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SAN BERNARDINO, San Bernardino County, Calif., Oct. 5, 2026 — Two people were hurt Sunday evening, October 4, in a crash involving a white Toyota Camry and a blue or black Lexus RX330 on eastbound Interstate 210 near the Highland Avenue offramp, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported shortly after 7 p.m., with both vehicles coming to rest on the right shoulder, the CHP incident log shows. Details on how the two cars collided have not been released.
At least one person involved reported head and back injuries and was being transported to a hospital. A tow truck was requested to the scene to clear the vehicles, and CHP personnel were still en route to the location more than an hour after the initial call.
The extent of the injuries and the circumstances that led to the crash remain under investigation. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full recovery.
Why Do Highway Crashes Cause Head and Back Injuries?
Head and back injuries in highway crashes often come down to how the body moves inside the vehicle in the moment of impact, not just how hard the cars hit. Even at moderate speeds, an occupant's head and spine can snap forward and back or twist sideways faster than a seatbelt alone can control, especially in side-angle or sideswipe-type collisions on multi-lane roads.
Seatbelts and airbags reduce the severity of these injuries by limiting how far the body travels and cushioning the head from the steering wheel, dashboard, or window. Vehicles with side-curtain airbags and reinforced door structures tend to produce fewer head injuries in side impacts, while a lack of these features, or an unbelted occupant, raises the odds of a harder hit to the head or spine.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure is a reminder that outcomes in any given crash depend heavily on who and what is involved, not just where it happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can drivers do to lower the chance of a crash like this?
Keeping a safe following distance, checking mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes, and avoiding distractions are among the most effective habits on fast-moving highway segments like merge and offramp zones.
What injuries commonly result from two-vehicle highway crashes?
Head, neck, and back injuries are common, along with soft-tissue strains, bruising, and in some cases fractures, depending on the angle and speed of impact.
What typically causes crashes like this one?
Common factors include following too closely, unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, and misjudging the speed of merging traffic, though the specific cause of any single crash is determined by investigators.
Does speed make a difference in how serious a crash is?
Yes. Higher speeds increase the force transferred to occupants in a collision, which raises the likelihood of serious injury even in otherwise similar crashes.
What to Do After a Car Accident in San Bernardino, CA
If you're involved in a highway crash, try to move to the shoulder if the vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so, and turn on hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. Call 911 and wait for help in a safe spot away from moving lanes when possible.
Even if injuries seem minor at first, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional. Head and back injuries in particular can take hours or days to show symptoms. Keep records of any treatment, and file a report with the California Highway Patrol if one hasn't already been completed at the scene. Reach out to your insurance provider to begin the claims process once you've addressed immediate safety and medical needs.
