Fatal Traffic Collision 

February 21, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on February 19, 2026, at 8:21 p.m., deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station responded to the area of Margarita Road and Pio Pico Road regarding the report of a traffic collision. Upon arrival, deputies located a single vehicle collision with a telephone pole. Deputies performed lifesaving measures, but the driver was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene. Three additional passengers of the vehicle were transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

The Southwest Sheriff’s Station’s accident investigators responded to the location and assumed the investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control for unknown reasons, and collided with a telephone pole. The driver's identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A temporary road closure of Margarita Road from Jedediah Smith Road to Pico Road was required to process the scene and collect evidence.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Deputy Cail of the Southwest Sheriff’s Station at 951-696-3000 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office at 951-776-1099.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant William Pratt

File # TE260500131

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office