CHP said his disabled Honda Accord was struck near Lincoln Avenue in Corona
July 27, 2026 | Corona, CA
What happened in the crash?
A 55-year-old man was killed Monday night when a tractor-trailer struck his disabled Honda Accord on the Riverside (91) Freeway.
Santos Nunez Lopez, 55, died after a tractor-trailer struck his disabled Honda Accord on the eastbound 91 Freeway near Lincoln Avenue.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Santos Nunez Lopez was traveling eastbound in the No. 3 lane near Lincoln Avenue around 11:15 p.m. when his vehicle broke down. He was unable to move the car to the shoulder or restart it. Hazard lights were activated, yet the semi-truck struck the Honda. Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
- Date: July 27
- Location: Riverside (91) Freeway at Lincoln Avenue, Corona
- Vehicles: Honda Accord, tractor-trailer
- Agency: California Highway Patrol
- Outcome: Fatal injury at scene
Why do these accidents happen?
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Contributing factors often include loss of control, tire blowouts, vehicle failure, excessive speed, lane drifting, improper maneuvering, and driver fatigue.
The National Safety Council reports that large-truck crashes injure an estimated 150,000 people and kill about 4,900 people each year.
| Source | Annual Injuries | Annual Fatalities |
|---|
| National Safety Council | 150,000 | 4,900 |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, families may explore options under wrongful death statutes. Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal and national analyst with Newsline, stated:
“Tractor-trailer crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents. A skilled attorney can protect a family from trucking companies, which often send their investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize to defend a negligent truck driver. A lawyer can advocate for you by hiring witnesses, conducting driver background checks, locating witnesses to the crash, and reviewing applicable insurance coverage.”
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, added:
“We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of.”
Key takeaways
- Preserve evidence quickly after a commercial vehicle incident
- Review company records and driver history
- Identify all available insurance coverage
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).