The fatal crash occurred at about 12:35 p.m. on June 5, 2026, at the intersection of State Street and Domenigoni Parkway.
Hemet, CA – Two people were killed, and four others were injured after a collision involving a Mini Cooper and a Cal Fire engine at an intersection in Hemet Friday afternoon, according to authorities.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 12:35 p.m. on June 5, 2026, at the intersection of State Street and Domenigoni Parkway.
Investigators said a Cal Fire engine, with its emergency lights and siren activated, was traveling northbound on State Street, responding to a vegetation fire east of the city, when it collided with a Mini Cooper traveling westbound on Gibbel Road. Authorities said the intersection is controlled by traffic lights, although it was not immediately known which vehicle had the right of way at the time of the collision.
The driver of the Mini Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene. A 10-year-old boy riding in the front passenger seat was transported to Inland Valley Hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained in the crash. Another young passenger seated in the back of the Mini Cooper was hospitalized for evaluation. Three firefighters aboard the fire engine sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospitals for treatment. No arrests were reported.
Emergency crews responded to the scene shortly after the collision was reported and worked to assist the injured victims while investigators processed evidence at the intersection.
The crash caused significant traffic disruption in the area as authorities conducted the on-scene investigation and cleared the damaged vehicles from the roadway.
The cause of the deadly crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.