Truck left dangling over edge of bridge after 3 hit and runs
TEMESCAL VALLEY – A man who struck at least two vehicles and a stop sign in three separate hit and runs had to be rescued after the truck he was driving crashed through a guard rail and ended up dangling precariously over the side of a winding, rural roadway, Sunday, May 29. The accident occurred on Temescal Canyon Road between Indian Truck Trail and Horse Thief Canyon Road, near the northwest end of Corona Lake.
Firefighters work to extricate the unidentified reckless driver as his truck dangles over the edge of a 25 drop. Jaime Rios / Epicenter News photo
The California Highway Patrol first became aware of the recklessly speeding driver at 4:33 p.m., when they began to receive numerous 911 calls from citizens reporting a black, 2003 Dodge pickup truck that was driving recklessly at a very high rate of speed. Callers also reported the driver was weaving in and out of traffic on the northbound I15 freeway.
After the truck had struck the first vehicle, it was seen exiting the freeway at Temescal Canyon Road, where it nearly smashed into a roadside wall. The driver, who has not been identified, then sped southbound on Temescal Canyon Road.
At 5:10 p.m., CHP emergency communications dispatchers received an update from another 911 caller reporting the truck had struck a stop sign at an intersection on Temescal Canyon Road, just south of Indian Truck Trail. The driver continued on after crashing through the stop sign.
CHP dispatchers received another 911 call at 5:21 p.m., from a citizen reporting the truck had sideswiped their vehicle while driving on the wrong side of the roadway on Temescal Canyon Road.
Firefighters spent over 40 minutes rescuing the reckless driver. Jaime Rios / Epicenter News photo
The nearly head-on collision knocked the other vehicle’s side view mirror off and the truck continued traveling at high rate of speed. The final accident occurred at 5:26 p.m., over an hour after the driver’s reckless driving was first reported to CHP.
After crashing through the guard rail, multiple 911 callers reported the truck was suspended by its rear axle over the edge of a 25′ high bridge. Callers also told dispatchers that the driver was injured and trapped inside the dangling vehicle.
CAL FIRE/Riverside County Firefighters and Corona City Firefighters responded to the location and conducted a technical rescue while the truck was still dangling over the ledge.
CHP officers and Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the location to assist in the rescue. While firefighters and a tow truck were stabilizing the truck and preparing to rescue the driver, deputies closed both directions of Temescal Canyon Road to through traffic to ensure the safety of rescue personnel.
Paramedics transported he driver to a hospital after he was rescued from his dangling truck. Firefighters spent over 40 minutes rescuing the reckless driver. Jaime Rios / Epicenter News photo
The man was safely extricated from the dangling truck at 6:10 p.m., over 40 minutes after he had wrecked his truck, Cal Fire/Riverside County Public Information Officer Jody Hagemann wrote in a press release about the incident.
was Paramedics evaluated and treated the driver at the scene before they transported him by ground ambulance to an area hospital. The man sustained moderate injuries, according to Hagemann.
The truck was successfully recovered from its precarious position at 7:23 p.m. and the roadway was re-opened to through traffic shortly after 7:30 p.m.
As of this report, the man’s condition had not been updated and it was unknown what charges he would be facing upon his release from the hospital.
Aerial view showing location of accident.
Aerial view showing location of accident.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
