Two Killed in Fiery Multi-Vehicle Crash in San Bernardino

On January 14, a speeding driver triggered a fiery and fatal car crash in San Bernardino that killed two and left one injured. San Bernardino police were responding to reports of a driver acting erratically and slumped over the steering wheel of a Volvo sedan at an ARCO gas station on Highland Avenue. Before reaching the location, the driver became alert, left the station, and sped past police at nearly 90 mph. Officers quickly turned around and pursued him.

Within minutes, the Volvo driver crashed into a Toyota sedan stopped at a red light at the intersection of Highland and Del Rosa Avenues. The speed and impact shoved both cars into two additional vehicles and ignited a fire. Both the Volvo and Toyota drivers were killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene. A third person was hospitalized with minor injuries. The fourth driver sustained no injuries.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing and a toxicology report on the Volvo driver is pending, police said. A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family of the Toyota driver, and mother of four, with funeral expenses.

High-speed crashes dramatically increase the likelihood of fatal injuries, especially when vehicles are stopped at intersections. At extreme speeds, drivers have little to no ability to brake or steer safely, and the impact can push vehicles into others, creating deadly chain-reaction collisions. Fires are also more common in high-speed crashes, as fuel systems rupture and vehicles are crushed together, leaving occupants with little chance to escape.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a crash, contact our Ontario car accident lawyers at Lerner, Moore, Silva, Cunningham & Rubel at 909-889-1131 or submit our online form to schedule a free consultation. With office locations in Ontario and Victorville, California, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.