Wrong-way driver crashes into big rig on I-15 North in Rancho Cucamonga

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (KABC) -- A wrong-way driver was killed Wednesday morning after crashing head-on into a big rig on the 15 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga.

Authorities say a silver Toyota Prius traveling southbound on northbound lanes crashed into the big rig around 5:18 a.m. near Baseline Road.

Officials are investigating whether the Prius driver intentionally got on the freeway or if it was an accident.

"There's certainly a possibility that the driver misunderstood and got on the exit thinking that it was the entrance to the freeway," said Cindy Bachman with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

According to the big rig driver, who was not injured, the Prius was only on the freeway less than a quarter-mile before the impact. The truck driver said the Prius driver turned off the car's headlights upon entering the freeway from Baseline Road.

"It's sad either way, whether this person drove onto the freeway intending to cause this collision and end their life or if it was simply an accident and they misunderstood the direction," said Bachman.

Multiple lanes of the freeway were closed for several hours as authorities investigated the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the incident was asked to call Rancho Cucamonga police at (909) 477-2800.