Two people died and a third was injured after a reported head-on collision between a big rig and a white SUV on Temecula Parkway (State Route 79) east of Horizon View Street in Temecula on the afternoon of Thursday, October 22, 2026. The crash was reported at about 2:38 p.m., and the SUV allegedly caught fire after the impact. The two SUV occupants were reportedly pronounced dead at the scene, and the truck driver reportedly suffered minor injuries and declined an ambulance. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) had not released the victims’ names.
CBS News reported the crash under the headline “2 dead, 1 injured after head-on crash in Temecula involving big rig.” Hoodline’s report said both eastbound and westbound lanes were blocked for hours, that the truck leaked oil and other fluids requiring a hazardous-materials cleanup, and that the truck was reportedly hauling a CAT lift. As of Thursday afternoon, investigators had not determined which vehicle crossed into opposing traffic. The cause remains under investigation, and nothing here should be read as a finding of fault.
Two people died and a truck driver was injured after a head-on collision between a big rig and an SUV on Highway 79 near Horizon View Street in Temecula on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at about 2:40 p.m. The SUV was reportedly engulfed in flames, and Riverside County Fire Department crews extinguished the fire. The California Highway Patrol is investigating, and authorities had not said which vehicle crossed into the opposing lanes.
According to Patch, both people in the SUV died at the scene and their identities had not been confirmed. Patch reported that the truck driver got out of the rig on his own with minor injuries and declined an ambulance, that speeds were unconfirmed, and that it had rained shortly before the crash. The semi allegedly leaked oil and other fluids, requiring a hazardous materials cleanup, and a Sig Alert was issued at 2:53 p.m. Valley News also reported that the CHP Temecula office confirmed the closure was for a fatal crash investigation.
