Around 5:05 a.m. on February 27, a big rig collided with another vehicle on the southbound side of 215 Freeway near Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Riverside, CA – One person was killed in a big rig accident that happened Friday morning on 215 Freeway in Riverside.
Around 5:05 a.m. on February 27, a big rig collided with another vehicle on the southbound side of 215 Freeway near Martin Luther King Boulevard.
The crash led to the closure of two right lanes of the freeway.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene by responding Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department personnel.
The Riverside County coroner’s office also responded following the fatality.
It was unclear if anyone else was injured.
No other details were available, but an investigation is ongoing.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and FMCSA, California consistently records the second-highest number of large-truck fatalities in the U.S., trailing only Texas. In 2023, the state reported 392 deaths from truck accidents, though preliminary data from 2024 and 2025 suggest a gradual decline in fatal incidents, mirroring a broader national trend.
Large trucks are involved in roughly 9% of California’s fatal crashes, despite representing a much smaller fraction of registered vehicles. A critical safety insight is that 70% of fatalities in these collisions are occupants of passenger vehicles, not the truck drivers, due to the extreme weight disparity. Primary crash factors include unsafe speed, improper lane changes, and driver fatigue. Regionally, the highest concentrations of accidents occur in high-traffic freight hubs like Los Angeles County, San Bernardino, and the Central Valley corridor along Highway 99.
Seek Legal Help from a Truck Accident Lawyer
If your loved one died in this big rig collision, a truck accident lawyer can help you seek justice for the wrongful death of your family member. Visit our truck accident lawyer page to learn more about your legal options.