Chaos at Redlands Bar Leaves 4 Hospitalized After Driver Crashes Into Crowd

Gunfire erupts as driver flees scene after plowing into group outside popular nightspot

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

A chaotic scene unfolded early Sunday morning outside a popular bar in Redlands, California, after a driver crashed into a crowd of people, leading to a shooting incident. According to police, an altercation took place in front of The Underground bar around 1:30 a.m., and one of the involved individuals left the area briefly before returning and plowing into a group of four people standing on the street. The driver then lost control and crashed into the curb, at which point an unknown suspect opened fire, striking two nearby businesses. The driver fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of fluids from the damaged vehicle. All four people struck by the car were transported to a local hospital with major injuries, though their current conditions are unknown.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of public safety and violence in and around nightlife establishments, as well as the dangers posed by reckless driving and the potential for escalating confrontations to turn deadly. The Redlands community will likely be shaken by this event and may raise questions about security measures, traffic control, and emergency response protocols in the area.

The details

According to the Redlands Police Department, the incident began with an altercation involving several people in front of The Underground bar around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. One of the individuals involved then left the area briefly before returning in a 2022 Tesla, driving east on Citrus Avenue and crashing into a group of four people standing on the street outside the bar. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the curb, at which point an unknown suspect opened fire, striking two nearby businesses. The driver then fled the scene, going west on Citrus Avenue before police arrived, leaving behind a trail of fluids from the damaged car.

  • The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • Police were notified of the crash and shooting shortly after the incident took place.

The players

The Underground

A popular restaurant and bar in Redlands, California.

Redlands Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the incident.

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What’s next

The Redlands Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident, including searching for the driver who fled the scene and the unknown suspect who opened fire. Authorities are also working to identify the four individuals who were struck by the car and transported to the hospital.

The takeaway

This chaotic event in Redlands underscores the need for improved safety measures and emergency response protocols in and around busy nightlife establishments, as well as the ongoing challenges of addressing reckless driving and gun violence in local communities.