Man dies in Hemet after crashing semi-truck on SR 79 in Hemet

HEMET – A truck driver died earlier today after he suffered a medical emergency and crashed a tandem trailer semi-truck, Wednesday, July 28.

The single-vehicle, fatal traffic accident happened on Highway 79, shortly after 2:30 p.m., south of Olive Street and north of Domenigoni Parkway.

The area of the accident is located just south of the unincorporated community of Winchester

According to Ramiro Torres, a family member of the man who died, the driver reportedly suffered a stroke, which led to the traffic accident.

California Highway Patrol officers and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene of the deadly crash. According to a CHP log, the truck lost control and ran off the roadway into a ditch.

The vehicle was described as a blue, tandem-trailer asphalt truck. The accident prompted a hazardous material call out regarding a reported fuel spill related to the accident, according to the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans websites.

Because the tractor-trailer semi-truck ran off the roadway, there were no reported lane blockages immediately after the accident.

At just after 5:40 p.m. CHP officers issued a Sig-Alert and called for the closure of all north and southbound traffic along Highway 79 in the area.

Officers diverted traffic between Simpson Avenue and Domenigono Parkway while a wrecker tow truck worked to pull the semi from a ditch running adjacent to the highway.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not yet been officially identified, pending notification of his family.

No other vehicles were involved in the deadly crash.

 

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