HEMET: Alleged drunk driver takes out traffic signal, arrested
HEMET — A driver who smashed into and destroyed a traffic signal was later arrested for driving under the influence, Saturday evening, Feb. 24.
City of Hemet Police and Fire Departments along with other emergency first responders were dispatched to the intersection of Girard Street and Florida Avenue shortly before 8 p.m., after receiving reports of a vehicle that had lost control and plowed into a traffic pole, shearing it off at its base. At least one 911 caller told emergency dispatchers the driver, a Hispanic male adult, was attempting to drive away from the scene of the wreck; however, his vehicle was disabled and not able to be driven from the scene.
Paramedics and police officers speak to a driver who crashed into a traffic signal pole. Gary Rainwater/Hemet Valley Incidents photo
When officials arrived they found a wrecked silver Cadillac on Provident Bank’s front lawn, on the northwest corner of the intersection. The destroyed traffic signal, which had been launched at least 20 feet when the sedan crashed into the pole, was also on the bank’s lawn near the damaged car.
According to witnesses, while he was being interviewed by officers and evaluated by paramedics the driver, who has not been identified, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Bystanders later described that from 50 feet away they could hear the man loudly and belligerently arguing with officials – while his female passenger cried nearby.
After paramedics finished evaluating the driver and determined he had not been injured in the collision, officers moved in and handcuffed him. While officers handcuffed the man the crying woman stood nearby begging officers not to arrest the driver, as he continued yelling and arguing with officials.
Jason Shipman, who said he lives in San Jacinto and was on his way home after picking up dinner for his family later described driving upon the accident moments after it happened and trying to help.
“When I tried to see if the guy needed help he just yelled at me and told me to F-off,” Shipman explained. “The guy smelled like a brewery and I could already hear sirens coming, so I just let him be and waited for them to handle the drunk clown.”
It was not immediately known what charges the driver was facing and Hemet PD’s investigation is active and ongoing.
Click any image to open full-size gallery.
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.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 27 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 14 grandchildren.