LAKE ELSINORE, CA — One person was killed and four others injured Tuesday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash on the northbound 15 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The chain-reaction collision occurred around 3:55 p.m. north of Main Street. CHP reports that a 32-year-old man from Perris, driving a 2016 Toyota Tacoma, rear-ended a 2023 Kia Niro driven by a 37-year-old woman from San Diego, sparking a multi-car pileup involving at least five vehicles.
After the initial impact, the Kia veered into another lane and collided with a 2022 Dodge Ram 5500 pulling a trailer, driven by a 50-year-old man from Los Angeles. The Dodge then struck the rear of a 2021 Toyota Highlander, driven by a 69-year-old Lake Elsinore man, before continuing into a Honda Accord operated by a 38-year-old woman from Murrieta.
The San Diego woman in the Kia Niro was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers of the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Highlander sustained minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals. Two other drivers were treated on-site by Riverside County Fire Department paramedics.
A SigAlert was issued for all northbound lanes at 4:05 p.m., lasting until at least 7 p.m., as crews cleared the wreckage. CHP continues to investigate the cause of the crash and urges anyone with information to contact the Temecula Office.