MENIFEE: Sheriff’s volunteers hospitalized after car plows through road block, into patrol vehicles

MENIFEE — Two sheriff’s volunteers assisting at the scene of a major-injury, DUI-related, head-on traffic collision were hospitalized after a sedan failed to yield to a sheriff’s roadblock and plowed through the roadblock and smashed into two volunteer patrol vehicles. The two separate accidents happened early Wednesday evening, Jan. 10, on the 26000 block of Menifee Road, near the intersection of Matthews/Case Road, in Menifee.

Emergency first responders were dispatched to the area about 6:45 p.m., after receiving reports of a head-on traffic collision on Menifee Road, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant J.P. Strang explained the morning after the accidents.

When officials arrived they found two vehicles with major front-end damage. The cars were described as a Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry.

“One of the drivers, 57-year-old, Homeland resident, Nicholas Eddy, is suspected of driving while under the influence,” said Strang. Eddy sustained major injuries as a result of the crash and was rushed to an area hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

The driver of the other car, a Nuevo resident, was also injured and later transported to an area hospital. That driver’s injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

Based on the circumstances, City of Menifee traffic investigators responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. To ensure the safety of officials investigating the accident, officials called for the temporary, full closure of Menifee Road in both directions and requested assistance from sheriff’s volunteers.

As traffic investigators worked the collision scene and Sheriff’s volunteers manned a roadblock on Menifee Road, the driver of a Buick failed to obey the road closure and smashed into two, marked, Menifee PD vehicles – including a patrol sedan and a volunteer SUV. Both Sheriff’s vehicles had their emergency lights flashing at the time of the collision, according to Strang.

“Two Menifee volunteers received minor, non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital,” said Strang. “The driver of the Buick, identified as a 45-year-old, Sun City resident, was evaluated for DUI and determined not to be impaired.”

After the second collision, members from Perris Sheriff’s Station’s Traffic Reconstruction Unit responded to the location and assumed that investigation.

All five involved vehicles were later towed from the scene.

Menifee Road remained closed for nearly six hours and was re-opened about midnight.

Both collision investigations are active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding these investigations are encouraged to call Deputies Grimm or Kiebach at the Perris Sheriff’s Station, (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file numbers ME180100113 or ME180100134 and can remain anonymous.

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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.