Westbound 91 Freeway Near 14th Street: Suspected Wrong-Way Driver, Big Rig and SUV Collide Before Dawn
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (November 12, 2026): Three people were killed in a Riverside wrong-way crash involving a big rig, an SUV and a sedan on the westbound 91 Freeway near 14th Street shortly after 2 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, according to the California Highway Patrol, as reported by KTLA and FOX 11.
Moments before the crash, callers reported a vehicle traveling east in the westbound lanes near University Avenue at a high rate of speed and swerving between other cars, according to the CHP incident log cited by KTLA and FOX 11. Shortly afterward, a three-vehicle collision was reported east of 14th Street. Video from the scene showed a black sedan with heavy front-end damage facing the wrong direction, a badly damaged light-colored SUV against the concrete barrier and a big rig with front-end damage stopped nearby, according to both stations.
Three people died at the scene, a CHP dispatcher said. A fourth person was taken to a hospital by ambulance with unknown injuries, according to an on-scene news videographer cited by FOX 11 and Patch. All westbound lanes except the carpool lane were closed for hours during the morning commute while the CHP investigated and Caltrans crews cleared debris.
The CHP has not released the names of the three people who died, said which vehicles they were in, or explained how the wrong-way driver entered the freeway. The condition of the person taken to the hospital has not been released. These are early accounts. Fault is determined by investigators and, in civil cases, by the courts, and initial findings sometimes change.
Liability for the Riverside Wrong-Way Crash on the 91 Freeway
California law generally requires every driver to stay on the correct side of a divided highway and to use ordinary care. California Vehicle Code § 21651 makes it unlawful to drive anywhere but to the right of the barrier or dividing section that separates opposing lanes, and Civil Code § 1714 generally makes every person responsible for injuries caused by a lack of ordinary care. Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 generally allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim.
- The wrong-way driver: Callers reported a car speeding east in the westbound lanes and swerving between vehicles. When a wrong-way driver causes a crash, the driver and, in some cases, the vehicle owner can generally be held responsible.
- How the driver got on the freeway: Investigators have not said where the car entered the 91 Freeway going the wrong way. Ramp signs, markings and lighting are often examined in wrong-way crashes.
- The big rig: A commercial truck was part of the collision. Commercial carriers keep driver logs, inspection records and electronic data that can help reconstruct the seconds before a crash. Investigators have not suggested the truck driver did anything wrong.
- Insurance for families: When the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, families may generally look to other coverage, including the uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on their own policies.
These are general principles of California law, not conclusions about this crash, which remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Steps to Take After a Riverside Freeway Crash
Traffic crashes remain a leading cause of death: 40,901 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes on U.S. roads in 2023, according to final data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Families and injured people can take these steps:
- Share what you saw: Anyone who saw a car going the wrong way on the 91 Freeway early Thursday, or who has dashcam video, can contact the CHP Riverside Area office.
- Ask for the report: Ask the CHP for the report number and how to request the collision report once the investigation is complete.
- Keep records: Save medical records, bills, photos and any messages or calls with insurance companies.
- Be careful with insurers: Before giving a recorded statement to any insurance company, including a trucking company insurer, make sure you understand your rights and what you are being asked to sign.
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 Riverside Wrong-Way Crash on the 91 Freeway
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 three people who died on the 91 Freeway, and we wish a full recovery to the person who was hurt. Important questions remain: Where did the wrong-way driver enter the freeway, and were there earlier calls about the car? And what do the truck’s onboard data and any traffic cameras show about the final seconds before the collision?
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 November 12, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on November 12, 2026.
