ONTARIO, CA (October 21, 2025) — A massive pileup involving several tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles left at least three people dead and two others injured Tuesday afternoon on the westbound 10 Freeway in Ontario. Authorities say the driver of a semi-truck has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Accident Details: The collision occurred shortly after 1 p.m. near the interchange with Interstate 15, according to the California Highway Patrol. Multiple witnesses reported that a red-cab big rig was traveling at a high rate of speed toward stopped traffic when it slammed into the back of another truck without braking.
“The red truck was traveling fast when everyone else was stopped,” said witness Jason Calmelat, who saw the crash from a nearby parking lot. “He didn’t try to slow down. He just went full force into the back of another truck, crushing two other cars.”
The impact triggered a chain reaction involving at least four tractor-trailers and four smaller vehicles. One vehicle caught fire, producing a large plume of smoke visible for miles. When first responders arrived, several vehicles were engulfed in flames, and one car was so badly damaged that authorities could not immediately identify its make or model.
Three people were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries. The westbound lanes of the freeway, except for the FasTrak lane, were closed for several hours as emergency crews extinguished the fire and began clearing wreckage.
Investigation: CHP investigators confirmed that the big rig driver, a 21-year-old man, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. Officers collected physical evidence from the crash site, including vehicle data and roadway debris, to reconstruct the sequence of impacts.
Authorities are reviewing traffic camera footage and interviewing witnesses to determine how the collision unfolded. Fire crews remained at the site well into the evening to ensure that fuel runoff and damaged cargo were safely contained. CHP expects to release additional details once toxicology reports are complete.
Traffic in the Inland Empire was severely affected, with backups stretching for miles along the westbound 10 Freeway. Crews reopened lanes late Tuesday night after several hours of cleanup and investigation.
Legal Considerations: Semi-truck crashes caused by impaired driving can lead to both criminal charges and civil claims. Families who lose loved ones in such collisions face sudden emotional and financial strain, including funeral expenses, medical costs, and the disruption of daily life.
California law permits surviving relatives to pursue wrongful death claims when a driver’s illegal or reckless conduct causes a fatal crash.
In this case, investigators’ findings—including toxicology results and witness accounts—will determine liability and inform potential court proceedings. The outcome may also renew public calls for stronger commercial driver monitoring and enforcement to reduce DUI-related tragedies on major freeways.
We extend our condolences to those who lost their lives and hope for recovery for the individuals who were injured.
Source: KTLA 5