One motorist was killed and three others injured in a multi-vehicle crash Tuesday on Interstate 15 in Lake Elsinore, where one side of the freeway was completely shut down because of the wreck.
The collision was reported just before 4 p.m. on northbound I-15 at Main Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The agency said four or five vehicles impacted at the location, though the exact circumstances were not immediately known.
Wreckage was strewn across all northbound lanes.
Riverside County Fire Department crews reached the scene 15 minutes later and discovered one victim gravely injured. Reports indicated that the individual, whose identity was not disclosed, died following extrication from the wreckage.
Another person suffered major injuries, and two others had minor injuries, according to officials. They were taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment.
CHP officers requested assistance from sheriff’s deputies and Murrieta police officers to enforce a full closure of the northbound side of the freeway. However, the right shoulder remained available to funnel traffic onto frontage roads.
A SigAlert was issued at 4:05 p.m. due to the shutdown and ensuing miles-long traffic jam.
The closure was expected to last until 7 p.m.