Details Released In Fatal Crash That Closed 15 Freeway In Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A five-vehicle chain-reaction crash Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 15 in Lake Elsinore killed a 37-year-old San Diego woman, injured several other motorists, and forced the closure of all northbound lanes for several hours.

The crash was reported just before 4 p.m. on northbound I-15 north of Main Street. A SigAlert was issued as first responders worked to treat victims, investigate the incident and clear the wreckage.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Seel, a preliminary investigation determined that the crash was triggered when a 32-year-old Perris man behind the wheel of a gray Toyota Tacoma hit the back of the San Diego woman's green Kia Niro.

The impact sent the Kia from the #3 lane to the #2 lane, directly into the path of a white Dodge Ram truck driven by a 50-year-old Los Angeles man.

The truck, which was towing a trailer, struck the Kia, then hit a red Toyota Highlander driven by a 69-year-old Lake Elsinore man, and finally collided with a black Honda Accord piloted by a 38-year-old Murrieta woman, the CHP's preliminary investigation showed.

The drivers from Perris and Lake Elsinore were sent to local hospitals with minor injuries. The Murrieta woman and the Los Angeles man also suffered minor injuries but remained at the scene, according to Seel.

"The driver of the Kia Niro sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision," Seel reported. She was identified by the coroner late Tuesday night as Emily Rew.

Northbound freeway lanes remained closed for several hours, but traffic was flowing again by 8 p.m.

The crash remains under investigation by the CHP. No arrests were announced.