Eastbound 210 Freeway West of Riverside Avenue: Minivan Ends Up Under the Back of a Semi-Truck
RIALTO, CALIFORNIA (October 25, 2026): Two people were killed in a Rialto 210 Freeway crash early Sunday, October 25, 2026, when a minivan slammed into the back of a semi-truck on the eastbound lanes west of Riverside Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP received the call at about 2:37 a.m., KTLA reported, and ABC7 also reported the crash, citing the CHP.
When officers arrived, they found that the van had gone underneath the rear of the semi-truck’s trailer, the CHP told KTLA. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. ABC7 reported that both were passengers in the van, and that paramedics took the van’s driver and another passenger to a hospital in unknown condition. KTLA reported that video from the scene showed a red Honda minivan crushed against the back of the trailer.
A SigAlert closed eastbound lanes for several hours, according to KTLA.
The names of the two people who died have not been released. The CHP has not said what caused the crash, how fast the van was traveling, whether the semi-truck was moving or stopped, or which company operated the truck. These are early accounts. Fault is determined by investigators and, in civil cases, by the courts, and initial findings sometimes change. Anyone with information can contact the CHP San Bernardino Area office.
Liability for a Rialto Big Rig Crash
Under California Civil Code § 1714, everyone is generally responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care in managing their property or person, which applies to drivers of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks alike. Vehicle Code § 21703 generally prohibits following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 generally allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a death is caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.
- Passengers and the van’s driver: The two people who died were passengers, according to ABC7. Passengers generally can bring claims against a driver whose negligence caused a crash, and against that driver’s insurance.
- Speed and following distance: The van struck the back of the trailer, according to the CHP. How fast each vehicle was moving and how much space there was between them will be central questions for investigators.
- The truck and its operator: Investigators have not said whether the semi was moving, slowing or stopped. Its speed, lighting and position in the lane, and the company that operated it, may matter.
- Trailer underride: The van ended up under the back of the trailer, the CHP said. How the trailer’s rear guard performed can be part of a full investigation.
How responsibility is decided will depend on what the CHP’s investigation and the truck’s data show about the moments before the impact.
Steps to Take After a Rialto 210 Freeway Crash
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 36,640 people died in traffic crashes in the United States in 2025. When a commercial truck is involved, there may be more than one insurer and more records to preserve.
- Request the CHP report: Families and injured passengers can ask the CHP San Bernardino Area office for the collision report and the investigating officer’s name as soon as possible.
- Identify the truck company: Ask investigators for the name of the trucking company and its insurer. Truck electronic logging and engine data can show speed and braking.
- Keep medical and funeral records: Save hospital bills, records and receipts, along with photos of the van and any belongings recovered from it.
- Be careful with insurers: Several insurance companies may call. Talk to a lawyer before giving a recorded statement or signing anything.
Legal deadlines and notice requirements apply after a crash, injury or death, and they vary with the facts of each case, the location and the parties involved, including any public agency. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Investigating the Rialto 210 Freeway Crash
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two people who died, and we wish the injured a full recovery. Important questions remain: whether the semi-truck was moving at highway speed or stopped in a lane, and how the trailer’s rear underride guard performed in the impact.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our truck accident attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 26, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 25, 2026.
