Homeland: SR 74 traffic backed up for miles due to rollover accident
The Saturn that hit the back of the trailer sustained major damage i the accident. Ricardo Ruelas photo
HOMELAND – An early-morning, minor injury traffic collision left the carnage of a trailer, a wrecked and rolled over backhoe construction vehicle and a sedan Friday, Oct.7.
The accident happened in the area of 32464 SR74 at the intersection of Joppe Avenue in an unincorporated area on the west border of Homeland and on the east border of Valley Vista.
One witness reported the accident was caused when a sedan, described as a Scion tC, struck the rear end of a construction vehicle towing a backhoe behind it.
It was not immediately known if the Saturn had been pulling onto SR 74 from Joppe or if the sedan was trying to pass the truck and trailer when the accident occurred.
The trailer that carrying the backhoe at the time of the collision was severely damaged. Ricardo Ruela photo
The impact caused the truck towing the trailer to lose control, at which time the trailer with the backhoe flipped over onto its side.
The California Highway Patrol was notified about the accident just before 4:30 a.m.
More than two hours later, traffic was still backed up in both directions and is reportedly severely congested, frustrating motorists such as Gary Rainwater who got caught in the back up.
Any motorists traveling between the Hemet/San Jacinto area and Perris or the I-215 Freeway had their morning commute effected.
Traffic was severely congested after the accident. Gary Rainwater photo
“I probably got there five minutes after it happened,” Rainwater said. “Going eastbound was real bad but westbound was not too bad.”
“But it’s a major back up,” Rainwater explained. “They’re only letting so many cars go at a time and only one side gets to go at a time.”
A CHP incident log confirmed because of the rolled backhoe, the loose and damaged trailer and debris from the wrecked Saturn being in the roadway all traffic through the area had been funneled down to one lane and only small groups of motorists were being allowed past the accident scene at a time.
Tow trucks were called in to upright the rolled backhoe and to tow any vehicles that we not drive able from the area.
The damaged vehicles had been cleared from the roadway and by about 8:30 a.m. both east and westbound lanes of traffic had been re-opened.
The accident is being investigated by CHP.
Anyone who witnessed this collision or who has information about the accident is encouraged to contact CHP officials from the Temecula area station at (951) 506-2000. Callers can remain anonymous.
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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.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.
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Just a reminder to everyone, pay attention when you’re driving. Do not drive under the influence!