Three people were injured Tuesday in a six-vehicle collision on the Riverside (91) Freeway in downtown Riverside, snarling traffic and prompting the closure of a major exit ramp.
The chain crash was reported at 1:38 p.m. Tuesday on the westbound 91 at Central Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The agency said an SUV, pickup truck and four sedans impacted in and around the freeway slow lane, leading into the two-lane Central off-ramp, which is a notorious choke point for traffic through the downtown area.
Riverside Fire Department crews reached the location within a few minutes and discovered all of the vehicles stopped in the freeway exit with moderate damage.
CHP officers shut down the off-ramp, as well as the slow lane, causing an extensive traffic jam. A Sigalert was issued at 2:02 p.m. due to the closure and crunch.
Three people suffered minor to moderate injuries in the collision and were taken to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment, according to reports from the scene.
Their vehicles were towed away. The other vehicles remained operable, according to the CHP.
The specific cause of the collision was under investigation.