DESERT CENTER: Three killed, one injured in fiery, three vehicle wreck involving two big-rigs

DESERT CENTER — Details are still emerging after three people died and a fourth person was injured in a fiery, multiple-vehicle crash involving two tractor-trailer, semi-trucks and another vehicle, Thursday, Oct. 26. The deadly, early morning crash happened on the eastbound Interstate 10, east of Eagle Mountain Road, in Desert Center.

California Highway Patrol officers, firefighters and other emergency first responders rushed to the scene of the fatal crash about 5:47 a.m., after other motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the wreck.

A CHP incident log indicated that callers told emergency dispatchers one of the involved vehicles, described as a big-rig, had caught fire after the fatal collision. Callers also reportedly advised that people were possibly trapped in at least two of the vehicles.

Eleven firefighters from three engine companies responded to the deadly collision, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer April Newman explained in an incident report. Because of the remote location, they were assisted by a water tender.

When they began arriving, officials found all eastbound lanes of the interstate blocked by the mangled and burning wreckages of the three vehicles. Vehicle parts and debris were strewn across the highway, forcing officials to call for the temporary closure of the eastbound lanes of traffic. CHP officers investigating the crash eventually issued a Sig-Alert for traffic in the area.

“The first arriving engine company reported a three vehicle traffic collision involving one passenger vehicle and two semi-trucks,” said Newman. One of the semi-trucks was “well-involved” in fire, according to Newman.

“Three victims succumbed to their injuries on scene,” Newman explained, saying, “Mercy Air Ambulance has been requested for a fourth patient.” The fourth victim sustained moderate injuries according to Newman.

Firefighters managed to knock down the blaze at 6:45 a.m., about one hour after the accident was reported.

According to Newman, the Mercy Air Ambulance landed at the scene at about the same time.

The only surviving victim was transported by air ambulance to an area hospital about 7 a.m. The victim’s injuries were described as moderate; however, officials did not specify the nature or extent of that victim’s injuries.

Riverside County Environmental Health was summoned and responded to the scene due to fluids spilled onto the freeway.

CHP is investigating the cause of the fatal accident. Their investigation is active and ongoing.

This is a developing story that will be updated as additional information becomes available.

 

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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor 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, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.