UPDATE #4 – Alcohol suspected in Sunday’s fatal crash on Sanderson Ave.

UPDATE: 09/26/206 1:35 p.m.

SAN JACINTO – More facts are emerging about a fatal two vehicle traffic accident that happened on Sanderson Avenue Sunday, September 25. The accident occurred north of Ramona Expressway and south of Gilman Springs Road in San Jacinto. The deadly accident happened at 2:45 a.m.

The driver of a Toyota truck that was struck by an out of control Ford died in the accident. Coroner’s officials have identified the man as Issa Qaqish, 74, of Yucaipa.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station responded to a traffic collision and conducted an accident investigation that left Sanderson Avenue closed for several hours.

Their investigation revealed a Ford pickup truck was traveling south on Sanderson Avenue when the driver lost control.

“The Ford spun across the northbound lanes and struck a concrete barrier on the shoulder of the roadway. The Ford overturned and struck a Toyota pick-up truck traveling north on Sanderson Avenue,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Himmelberg explained

Emergency first responders pronounced the driver of the Toyota deceased at the scene.

Four other people suffered injuries in the deadly crash. They were all transported to an area hospital by ground ambulances. The other victims have not been identified, however their injuries were described as minor to moderate by fire officials.

“Alcohol may have been a factor in the collision,” according to Himmellberg.

Mary Massis, a family member of Qaqish’, said the family was grieving their loss. “He just celebrated his 74th birthday,” Massis said. “He has two sons and four daughters.”

“His wife was in the car with him,” Massis continued. “She is hurt pretty badly.”

“Issa was taken way too soon and we are going to miss him so much.”

The investigation by the sheriff’s department is ongoing.

The San Jacinto Police Department requests anyone having additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Deputy Cortez at 951-654-2702. Callers can refer to incident file number I162690015 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

UPDATE: 09/25/206 9:40 a.m.

Northbound Sanderson has now been reopened to through traffic.

 

UPDATE: 09/25/206 8:45 a.m.

As of 8:45 a.m., northbound Sanderson remained closed at Ramona Expressway due to the collision. Commuters should seek out an alternate route such as Gilman Springs Road or go up to Bridge Street over to Gilman Springs Road.

At this time, there is no estimated time of re-opening of Sanderson due to the accident investigation, but shortly after the accident it was expected it to remain closed for several hours.

 

ORIGINAL STORY

SAN JACINTO – One person died and two others sustained injuries in an early morning fatal accident involving two trucks on North Sanderson Avenue north of West Ramona Expressway on San Jacinto Sept. 25.

Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station and paramedics from American Medical Response responded to multiple 911 calls from motorists reporting the traffic collision at about 2:45 a.m.

Firefighters and other emergency first responders arrived on scene of a major two vehicle traffic collision. Both vehicles were described as trucks.

Upon arrival firefighters quickly determined one person had already succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Paramedics treated the other two victims from the other vehicle before they were transported by ground ambulances to an area hospital

One of the victims suffered moderate injuries and the other suffered minor injuries, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer April Newman.

Deputies from the San Jacinto Police Station are handling the accident investigation, which is still in its early stages.

Anyone who may have witnessed this accident or who has information related to the deadly incident is encouraged to contact officials at the San Jacinto Police Department at (951) 654-2702.

 

This is a developing story. More information will be updated as it becomes available.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.