Fatal Head-on Crash on 241 Freeway in Lake Forest

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2026) — Joseph Kyle Massey, 39, of Rancho Santa Margarita, and Norma Herrera, 57, of Irvine, both died Friday in a head-on collision on the 241 Freeway in Lake Forest.

The woman was identified as the wrong-way driver in the collision reported around 10:35 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11th in the southbound lanes of the 241, just north of Lake Forest Drive, the California Highway Patrol report said.

The Irvine woman was driving a Honda SUV northbound in the southbound lanes when her vehicle slammed into a BMW sedan driven by the Rancho Santa Margarita man. A 7-year-old girl who was a passenger in the BMW survived the crash, but was injured.

It’s unknown if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash, and the investigation into what happened is ongoing.

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When it matters most, trust Attorney James Johnson at Johnson Attorneys Group. We are a personal injury law firm serving clients who have been injured in Long Beach and throughout California due to negligent motorists. If you were hurt in this collision, call 1-(800) 208-3538. We will request the police report, and the attorney will discuss your options. You are under no obligation to hire us, and there is no cost unless we win your case. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).