3 killed in wrong-way crash on southbound 15 Freeway in Fontana

FONTANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Three people were killed in a fiery wrong-way crash on the 15 Freeway in Fontana overnight, prompting the closure of most southbound lanes Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The crash involving a 2021 Kia four-door hatchback and a 2016 Honda sedan happened around 11:40 p.m. Monday at Sierra Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol. Which car was driven by the wrong-way driver was unclear.

CHP investigators said the errant driver was on the southbound side of the freeway, heading north toward oncoming traffic. The driver slammed into another car near Sierra Avenue and one of the vehicles erupted in flames with two people trapped inside.

Both of those individuals were pronounced dead at the scene and a third person in the other car also died, Highway Patrol Sgt. Ryan Robbe said. They were identified only as two residents of Rialto and one who lived in Glendale.

A CHP spokesperson later said the Glendale resident was 57 years old.

All but one of the southbound lanes remained shut down on Tuesday morning as a result of the collision, causing major traffic delays for motorists arriving from the Cajon Pass. All lanes were reopened after a closure of about eight hours.

Whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the incident was under investigation.

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