By Crash News Writer 
Riverside, CA (November 13, 2026) – Three people were killed, and another was injured early Thursday morning, November 12, following a multi-vehicle collision involving a wrong-way driver on the 91 Freeway in Riverside. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident occurred when an SUV traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes became involved in a collision with several other vehicles.
The fatal accident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. near 14th Street. California Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of a wrong-way vehicle and a serious collision along the westbound side of the freeway.
According to investigators, a silver Kia Sportage SUV was traveling eastbound against the normal flow of westbound traffic shortly before the accident. The SUV subsequently became involved in a multi-vehicle collision that included a black BMW, a white semi-truck, and a Volkswagen Jetta.
A witness reported seeing a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving between lanes while heading in the wrong direction before the crash. Authorities have not confirmed the vehicle’s exact speed or released additional findings about the driver’s actions.
When emergency personnel arrived, they discovered a man and woman unresponsive inside the Kia Sportage. Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
A woman traveling inside the Volkswagen Jetta also sustained fatal injuries. Authorities have not released the identities, ages, or hometowns of the three deceased individuals.
A fourth person was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Officials have not disclosed the injured individual’s identity, the nature of the injuries, or the person’s condition.
The collision involved several vehicles, including a commercial truck, although investigators have not explained the exact sequence of impacts. Authorities have not identified which vehicles were struck first or whether additional motorists were directly involved.
Police have not released information about where the Kia Sportage entered the freeway in the wrong direction. Investigators also have not determined whether impairment, driver confusion, distraction, or another factor contributed to the SUV traveling against traffic.
The accident caused significant traffic disruptions during Thursday’s morning commute. Several westbound lanes of the 91 Freeway were closed while emergency personnel assisted those involved and investigators examined the crash scene.
The westbound on-ramp at 14th Street was also closed as authorities worked to clear damaged vehicles and investigate the collision. Motorists traveling through Riverside experienced substantial delays while traffic was diverted around the affected area.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the affected lanes and the 14th Street on-ramp remained closed until approximately 8:30 a.m. The closures lasted several hours as crews completed their work at the scene.
Investigators have not announced any citations or criminal charges related to the accident. The circumstances surrounding the wrong-way driver’s actions remain unclear, and authorities have not released a final determination of the crash’s cause.
The California Highway Patrol continues investigating the fatal collision. Additional information may become available as investigators review witness statements, vehicle damage, roadway evidence, and other details surrounding the accident.
Protect Your Rights After a Fatal Wrong-Way Car Accident Today
Wrong-way freeway collisions can cause devastating injuries because vehicles traveling in opposite directions may strike one another with substantial force. These accidents are especially dangerous on high-speed roadways, where approaching drivers may have limited time to recognize and respond to a vehicle traveling against traffic.
Under California law, motorists are required to obey traffic signs, roadway markings, and rules governing the direction of travel. Drivers who enter a freeway against the designated traffic flow may violate these requirements and create serious risks for other motorists.
People searching for a car accident near me or a car accident near Riverside should understand that determining responsibility in a wrong-way collision may require examining how the driver entered the opposing lanes. Investigators may review freeway entrance ramps, traffic signs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and available electronic vehicle data.
An official car accident report may contain important information about the vehicles involved, the direction each vehicle was traveling, roadway conditions, and the investigating officers’ findings. When several vehicles are involved, investigators may also need to establish the order of impacts and determine whether separate actions contributed to the injuries.
California follows a pure comparative negligence system. Under this rule, an injured person’s compensation may be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility, but sharing fault does not automatically prevent recovery.
People researching a car accident near me or a car accident near Riverside should also understand that California generally provides two years to file personal injury lawsuits arising from motor vehicle accidents, subject to applicable exceptions. Wrongful death claims are also generally subject to a two-year filing period, although claims involving government entities may have shorter notice requirements.
When a wrong-way collision results in death, eligible surviving family members may have legal options under California’s wrongful death laws. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for qualifying financial losses and other damages recognized under state law.
In multi-vehicle accidents, determining liability may require examining whether one driver’s actions caused the initial collision and whether additional impacts resulted from that event. The presence of several vehicles does not necessarily mean every driver contributed to the accident.
When a commercial truck is involved, investigators may examine the truck driver’s actions, vehicle condition, and compliance with applicable safety requirements. However, the involvement of a semi-truck does not automatically establish that the truck driver or trucking company bears responsibility.
Injured individuals may be able to pursue compensation for qualifying medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by another party’s negligence. The availability and amount of compensation depend on the evidence and applicable insurance coverage.
Families affected by fatal collisions may also need to preserve accident reports, medical records, insurance communications, and other available documents. These materials can help establish the circumstances of the collision and document the losses associated with the accident.
In the November 12 Riverside collision, investigators confirmed that a Kia Sportage was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes before the multi-vehicle crash. However, authorities have not released findings explaining why the vehicle was traveling in the wrong direction.
The California Highway Patrol’s investigation may provide additional information about the sequence of impacts and whether any other contributing factors were involved.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects preliminary information released by the California Highway Patrol concerning the November 12 fatal wrong-way collision on the 91 Freeway in Riverside. Details may change as investigators complete their review and release additional findings.
- Three people were killed, and one other person was injured in a multi-vehicle collision Thursday, November 12, on the 91 Freeway near 14th Street in Riverside. The accident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m.
- California Highway Patrol investigators reported that a silver Kia Sportage was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes shortly before the collision. A black BMW, a white semi-truck, and a Volkswagen Jetta were also involved.
- A man and woman inside the Kia Sportage were found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene. A woman traveling inside the Volkswagen Jetta also sustained fatal injuries.
- A fourth individual was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released the person’s identity, injuries, or medical condition.
- A witness reported seeing a wrong-way vehicle speeding and swerving between lanes before the accident. Investigators have not confirmed the vehicle’s speed or identified why the driver entered opposing traffic.
- Several westbound lanes of the 91 Freeway and the 14th Street on-ramp were closed following the collision. The affected roadway reopened at approximately 8:30 a.m. after investigators and emergency crews completed their work.
- The California Highway Patrol continues investigating the accident. Readers seeking information about injury claims and accident investigations can review our frequently asked questions in California and accident resources in California.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Information reflects publicly available reports at the time of publication and may change as investigators release additional findings. Readers should consult a qualified attorney regarding their individual circumstances. The publisher assumes no responsibility for decisions made based on this information. Please review our disclaimer for further details.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries or lost a family member in a wrong-way collision on the 91 Freeway or another California roadway, contact a California personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights and whether a personal injury or wrongful death claim may be available.