Fatal Head-On Crash in Oro Grande Closes National Trails Highway and Leaves Two Others Injured Wednesday Morning

ORO GRANDE, CA — One person was killed and two others were hurt in a head-on crash Wednesday morning on National Trails Highway in Oro Grande. The collision was reported at about 6:56 a.m. on May 13, 2026, west of Robinson Ranch Road.

Authorities said a burgundy Dodge Ram pickup heading northbound collided with a dark-colored Chevrolet Suburban traveling southbound.

Victim found dead

Emergency crews confirmed the male driver of the Chevrolet Suburban died at the scene. California Highway Patrol officers later covered the victim with a yellow tarp while he remained seated inside the SUV after the crash.

A female passenger in the Suburban was pulled from the wreckage by firefighters and taken by ambulance to St. Mary Medical Center with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Pickup driver rescued

Firefighters extricated the driver of the Dodge Ram from the vehicle around 7:27 a.m. Officials requested a medical helicopter to airlift that patient, with the aircraft expected to land at Victor Valley Global Medical Center.

No further details were immediately released about that driver’s condition.

Highway closed for investigation

National Trails Highway was shut down in both directions while investigators worked the scene and traffic control crews were requested to help manage the closure. The roadway remained blocked as authorities examined what led to the crash.

The California Highway Patrol’s Victorville Station is handling the investigation.

Transit service affected

The road closure also disrupted local transit. The Victor Valley Transit Authority said Route 22 was not serving the Helendale area because of the shutdown.

Officials have not yet said when the highway will reopen, and the cause of the collision remains under investigation.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.