Tragedy Strikes on Mission Inn Avenue: What Happened?
People driving through Riverside on December 3, 2021, saw a scene that looked like something straight out of a disaster film. By late afternoon, police and fire crews closed off Mission Inn Avenue near Indian Hill Road after a fierce three-car collision that claimed the life of Efren Cordova Vazquez, 20, from Compton. The aftermath left twisted metal, blackened pavement, and heartbroken families.
According to police, the chain reaction started when a 19-year-old, behind the wheel of a black 2002 Lexus sedan, lost control. Witnesses later reported seeing the car weaving—skid marks snaked across the lanes, painting a picture of chaos and split-second decisions. The Lexus shot across oncoming traffic, hit a concrete retaining wall with such force that it rolled over and crash-landed on top of a 2015 Toyota Camry.
Nobody saw that coming. Efren Cordova Vazquez sat inside that Camry, likely unaware of the disaster speeding toward him. The weight and violence of the Lexus forced him to be trapped. Within seconds, both vehicles caught fire. Firefighters rushed to the scene, sirens blaring, but the fire's intensity made the rescue impossible. When crews finally snuffed out the blaze, they found the Camry almost unrecognizable—a haunting reminder of just how brutally things can go wrong in a split second.
Vazquez was pronounced dead at 2:50 p.m., confirmed by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. His life ended just days before the holidays, and only because of a sudden loss of control and a tragic chain of events. Authorities say the driver of the Lexus survived with moderate injuries and was rushed to the hospital. Occupants of the Camry survived with only minor injuries—a fact that seems almost miraculous given the destruction.
The chaos didn't stop there. A third car, a 2015 Nissan Sentra, got tangled up in the mayhem. The driver of the Nissan miraculously escaped serious injury.
Questions Linger After Riverside's Fatal Collision
Why did the Lexus driver lose control in the first place? Investigators from the Riverside Police Department worked the scene for hours, measuring skid marks, taking photos, and searching for clues. The early signs point to erratic driving just before the crash, but police haven't released any final cause. Toxicology reports, evidence reviews, and witness interviews all take time—a painful wait for families wanting answers.
Locals say Mission Inn Avenue has its share of risky drivers, especially as the afternoon sun blinds motorists or when rain makes the curves slippery. This crash has only added to calls for better speed enforcement and more visible patrols in the neighborhood. People who live nearby have grown wary of the stretch between Indian Hill Road and downtown, saying it’s all too common to hear screeching tires late in the day.
- Efren Cordova Vazquez died trapped in his car, marking yet another young life lost on city streets.
- The 19-year-old Lexus driver faces recovery and questions about what led to his brief moment of loss in control.
- Other victims escaped physically, but the emotional scars will stick around long after Mission Inn Avenue reopens to traffic.
- The Riverside Police Department urges witnesses to come forward with any information that could help piece together those crucial seconds before the crash.
This incident is more than just another statistic. It highlights how fast a routine day can turn into tragedy when speed, distraction, or other factors come into play. The ripple effects extend across families and neighborhoods, serving as a somber wake-up call for everyone behind the wheel in Riverside—and beyond.