6 dead, 4 hospitalized after Riverside County crash that ignited brush fire

A 4-vehicle crash left six people dead, four hospitalized and ignited a fire that caused multiple road closures on Gilman Springs in Riverside County.

Crews responded to reports of the fatal crash Monday at 2:19 p.m.

CHP Sgt Adrian Horta explained the crash was caused by a driver who tried to pass on the right shoulder and ran out of room, hitting the guard rail and swerving head-on into traffic.

This driver was found dead at the scene and his front passenger was removed from the vehicle and taken to a hospital for major injuries.

The fourth car in this crash was pushed off the road, into the field and caught fire, killing three passengers inside – two children and one adult.

The exact cause of death for the other two victims is unknown, but all six patients were declared dead at the scene. CAL FIRE said that due to the intensity of the crash, it was not obvious that two of the victims were there.

All four vehicles were fully engulfed in flames upon CHP’s arrival.

The four victims who were transported to the hospital have injuries ranging from minor to serious, according to CAL FIRE and the Riverside County Fire Department.

Crews kept the fire to 3.74 acres, which Horta noted was helped by a good Samaritan who came out with a tractor and set a perimeter around the flames to contain the size before it spread.

Officials reported two closures on Gilman Springs, one at Highway 79 and one at Alessandro, which will remain for another 4-5 hours.

CHP San Gorgonio Pass said all eastbound traffic on Gilman Springs is being diverted to southbound Bridge St, and all westbound traffic on Gilman Springs is diverted to Highway 79.

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