Crash Closes All Northbound Lanes on SR-86 Near Coachella Early Thursday Morning

A crash between two semi-trucks and a car closed all northbound lanes on State Route 86 near Coachella just before 4 a.m. Thursday, and as of the time of writing, those lanes remain shut down.

California Highway Patrol says the crash began when a semi-truck traveling northbound on SR-86, north of 50th Avenue, was rear-ended by a second semi-truck. While both big rigs were stopped in the road, a Ford Crown Victoria then crashed into the first truck's trailer. The impact caused both semi-trucks to catch fire. Cal Fire responded and put out the flames.

All three vehicles had one person inside, all male. Each reported pain, though none were taken to the hospital.

Northbound lanes remain closed near the 50th Avenue overpass as of this morning. CHP says drivers heading through the area should use Tyler Street or Grapefruit Boulevard as alternate routes.