A violent three-car collision on Highland Avenue ignited a blaze that killed two drivers in San Bernardino early Wednesday.
At a Glance
- Two drivers died after vehicles erupted in flames at Highland and Del Rosa avenues.
- A third driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital.
- All three drivers were trapped inside burning cars and had to be extricated.
- Why it matters: The intersection remains closed, disrupting morning commuters.
Emergency crews were dispatched at 7:15 a.m. after reports of vehicles on fire at the intersection of Highland and Del Rosa avenues, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. First responders arrived to find flames shooting from all three cars and each driver pinned inside.
Firefighters attacked the blaze while additional rescue teams worked to free the occupants. Once the flames were knocked down, crews used hydraulic tools to cut open the mangled vehicles and reach the trapped drivers.
Video from the scene shows at least two cars fully engulfed, with thick black smoke rising above the roadway. The intensity of the fire left the vehicles charred and partially collapsed.
Two drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. A female driver from the third vehicle suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Authorities immediately shut down Highland Avenue in both directions from Del Rosa Avenue while investigators mapped skid marks, measured debris fields, and examined burn patterns. The closure snarled morning traffic and forced commuters onto alternate routes.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department released a brief statement on social media confirming the fatalities and noting that the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Key Takeaways
- The collision occurred at 7:15 a.m. at Highland and Del Rosa avenues.
- Two drivers died after their vehicles caught fire.
- One person was hospitalized with minor injuries.
- The intersection is closed while authorities investigate.
