PERRIS: Three hospitalized, one critical, after head-on collision with semi-truck

PERRIS — Three people were hospitalized and one person is in critical condition after a car smashed head-on into a tractor-trailer, semi-truck before being hit by another vehicle Wednesday morning, Dec. 6. The major-injury accident happened in the area of Harley Knox Boulevard and Patterson Avenue in Perris.

Emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene of the accident about 7:45 a.m., after other motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the collision, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Lamb explained after the accident.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Perris Police Station “arrived on scene within minutes, along with personnel from Cal Fire, and learned a sedan had collided head-on with a semi-truck,” said Lamb.

Firefighters quickly determined one of the drivers was trapped inside their sedan and had to be rescued by Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire personnel during a cut and rescue operation. Firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” to eventually free the trapped driver.

American medical Response medics eventually transported three people to a local hospital. Lamb described their injuries as one with major and two with minor injuries.

“The driver with major injuries is currently in critical condition,” said Lamb.

While firefighters treated the injured victims, deputies investigated the cause of the crash.

During their preliminary investigation, deputies interviewed several people who had witnessed the crash and determined one of the involved vehicles was traveling westbound on Harley Knox Boulevard when it crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a semi-truck head-on. The sedan was then struck by another vehicle travelling westbound on Harley Knox.

While officials worked at the scene they called for the temporary closure of westbound Harley Knox Boulevard to ensure the safety of those working to free and treat those injured in the crash.

The roadway remained closed for several hours and was re-opened when officials concluded their initial investigation.

At this time, alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision, according to Lamb.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Officer Reid of the Perris Station Traffic Team at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PE173400025 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

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.