ROMOLAND: Two hospitalized after major injury wreck

ROMOLAND — Two drivers were hospitalized with major injuries after a two-vehicle wreck, Saturday evening, Feb. 17.

California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the area of Mapes and Menifee Roads in Romoland, after they were notified regarding a traffic collision with at least one victim trapped inside their vehicle.

When officials arrived in the area shortly after 7:15 p.m., they found two wrecked vehicles in a field along the roadway. Vehicle parts and debris along with other personal items were strewn around the two vehicles, which were described as a silver SUV and burgundy sedan. Both vehicles had sustained major damage and firefighters determined the driver of the SUV was trapped and would need to be cut free from the heavily damaged SUV.

While firefighters set up the “Jaws of Life” and prepared to extricate the trapped SUV driver, law enforcement officials called for the temporary, full closure of Mapes Road. During the closure, motorists were directed to alternate routes around the accident scene.

Both drivers were eventually transported to area hospitals. Their injuries were described as major by fire officials and their conditions were listed as serious.

Officials are still working to determine how fast the two vehicles were traveling at the time of the impact and what caused the wreck.

It was not immediately known which law enforcement agency is investigating the collision; however, crime scene technicians from the Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau responded to the scene to assist with the investigation, which is active and ongoing.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new 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.