San Bernardino County, CA – On the evening of Sunday, April 19, 2026, a single-vehicle collision resulted in a fatality on State Route 178 near Poison Canyon, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 8:25 PM in the Sequoia National Forest.
Authorities said a reporting party stopped after discovering a vehicle that was heavily damaged with no one visibly inside. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office responded and confirmed the fatality at the scene.
Due to the darkness of the area, fire department personnel were requested to search the surrounding area using a FLIR thermal camera to determine whether any additional occupants had been ejected from the vehicle.
The vehicle was found approximately 50 feet off the roadway with rollover damage. The incident was ultimately confirmed as a single-vehicle fatality with one occupant. The coroner was notified and responded to the scene with an estimated arrival of approximately 12:10 AM. A tow was subsequently requested for the vehicle.
No additional details regarding the identity of the deceased had been released at the time of reporting. The investigation remains ongoing.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. California’s comparative negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages through a wrongful death claim.
