Harrowing dashcam footage captures deadly big-rig crash in Southern California

Harrowing dashcam footage captured a horrific crash involving a semi-truck that left at least two people dead, and an unknown number of people injured Thursday morning in Riverside County.

The incident occurred just after 6:30 a.m. as the driver of the big rig, pulling a large trailer, was traveling in westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway east of Date Palm near Cathedral City, according to the California Highway Patrol.  

In footage of the crash obtained by KTLA, the driver of the semi is seen in the far right lane when the vehicle, for reasons currently not known, lost control and veered across all lanes toward the center median guardrails as the trailer it was pulling began tipping.  

The big rig smashed through the guardrails in an explosion of dirt and debris and slid on its passenger side into oncoming eastbound traffic, where several motorists immediately collided with it at high speed.  

CHP Officer David Torres said two men were killed, one behind the wheel of a Mercury SUV and a passenger in a Toyota Camry. Both victims, according to the officer, were ejected from their vehicles.  

Footage of the crash aftermath shows both vehicles completely mangled and destroyed.  

Authorities have yet to say how many others were injured in the crash, though preliminary reports suggest there were several people who suffered injuries of varying severity and were rushed to nearby hospitals.  

Officials have yet to identify the driver of the big rig, nor have they said if he was among those injured.  

The crash, which prompted a SigAlert, brought traffic in the area to a complete standstill as CHP investigated the crash, and Caltrans crews worked to clear a massive debris field.  

Just before 2:30 p.m., officials reopened all lanes of traffic in the area.  

The identities of the two deceased victims are pending next of kin notification.