[02-19-2026] Riverside County, CA – 16-Year-Old Killed, Three Injured in Crash in Temecula

A 16-year-old driver was killed, and three other teenagers were injured after a car crashed into a telephone pole in Temecula on Thursday night, February 19, 2026.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred shortly after 8:20 p.m. near Margarita Road and Pio Pico Road. Deputies responded to the scene and located a vehicle that had collided with a telephone pole.

Lifesaving measures were attempted; however, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The Riverside County Coroner later identified him as Landen R.

Three teenage passengers were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Authorities reported that they were in stable condition as of Friday morning.

Investigators stated that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed before the driver lost control and struck the pole.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Office detectives at (951) 776-1099 or Deputy Call at (951) 696-3000.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash.

What A Lawyer Can Do For You

Many victims put off calling a lawyer even if they sustain injuries after an accident. However, lawyers can help you in many ways. They can provide you with police reports, CCTV footage, and witness statements to strengthen your case. Your attorney will also negotiate with insurance companies to get you fair compensation. The best part is that they will do all of these things for you at no upfront cost. So if you’re injured in an accident, hire a personal injury attorney to recover medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.