Murrieta, CA (June 5, 2025) — A 22-year-old Temecula man was killed early Thursday morning when a stalled vehicle was rear-ended by a transit van on Interstate 215, causing a fire that engulfed the car, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Incident Details: The crash occurred at approximately 3:25 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-215 near Clinton Keith Road. CHP Officer Mike Lassig reported that the driver of a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu lost control of his vehicle and struck the center divider, leaving the car disabled in the No. 1 lane. While the vehicle was stalled, the driver remained inside and attempted to call for assistance. The car’s passenger exited the vehicle and stood in the center divider. Moments later, a Ford F-350 transit van, driven by a 61-year-old man from Moreno Valley, approached the disabled Malibu and failed to stop in time, crashing into the sedan’s rear.
The impact caused the Malibu to catch fire. Murrieta Fire & Rescue crews responded quickly and extinguished the flames, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The van driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center. The Malibu passenger was not injured.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: CHP continues its investigation and will evaluate driver attentiveness, reaction time, and roadway hazard visibility. They will also look into how long the Malibu was stalled before impact, whether hazard lights were in use, and whether the van driver had sufficient opportunity to avoid the collision.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the victim’s family may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Such a claim can help cover funeral costs, emotional loss, and financial support.
My condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the young man.
Source: MyNewsLA