HEMET: Rescuers response delayed by drivers refusing to yield to emergency vehicles

HEMET — A woman was hospitalized after a two-vehicle collision earlier this afternoon in Hemet. The minor-injury, rear-end crash happened at the intersection of Florida and Sanderson Avenues, two of the city’s busiest roadways.

Rescuers efforts and arrival were hampered by other motorists, who continued traveling through the intersection and driving around official vehicles parked around the wrecked sedan and truck that hit it.

Impatient motorists create chaos at the intersection of Sanderson and Florida Avenues. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Videos of the accident scene and emergency response – one of which was posted by Robert Carter of Public Safety Incidents – that showed scores of vehicles refusing to yield to emergency vehicles brought the ire and condemnation of countless area residents who lambasted those drivers too “disgusting and selfish” to yield the right of way to law enforcement, fire and rescue vehicles.

City of Hemet Police and Fire personnel and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene just before 1:30 p.m., after other motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the crash.

Callers told emergency dispatchers that a black Ford F150 had plowed into the rear-end of a silver Chevy sedan. According to callers, both vehicles were left in the middle of the intersection, blocking several lanes of southbound and westbound traffic.

Although a Hemet PD CSO and HFD battalion chief arrived at the scene within moments and the two began trying to direct traffic around and away from the wrecked vehicles while checking on the status of the two drivers, many motorists – too impatient to wait for direction – continued driving into the intersection and around the damaged vehicles and emergency first responders.

As first responders continued arriving at the scene and used their official vehicles to further block and protect those involved in the collision, motorists still recklessly chose to enter the intersection as they saw fit, regardless what was happening in the middle of the intersection.

While firefighters from the first responding engine companies were arriving at the scene, about a dozen vehicles continued passing through the intersection, some even turning or driving directly into the path of the large, bright red, oncoming apparatus.

Many drivers who refused to yield to emergency vehicle or ignored officers directions put all emergency first responders at the scene in danger. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Despite its flashing lights and wailing sirens one vehicle, a silver coupe, nearly collided head-on with the approaching engine after turning right from eastbound Florida onto southbound Sanderson.

Officials eventually had enough patrol, community service officers and volunteer officers at the scene and managed to bring the intersection free-for-all under control.

The female driver of the sedan was eventually transported to Hemet Valley Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment of minor injuries. The other driver was evaluated at the scene, but reportedly declined further treatment.

One area resident and witness to the accident and ensuing chaos, Christina Marie Tober, later wrote on social media how traffic refused to yield to emergency first responders and she described seeing motorists honking, yelling, and driving around rescue personnel. She later described the entire incident as “straight disgusting and selfish” and wrote that the whole scene was just “appalling to witness!”

According to Tober and others, after the rear-end collision – as the two drivers sat in their wrecked vehicles – other motorists impatiently honked and drove around the damaged vehicles. Some yelled curses at the two drivers while others made obscene gestures to the still stunned and dazed pair.

When the first arriving rescuers, a police community service officer and Hemet Fire battalion chief, were approaching “traffic wouldn’t let them in,” blocking and delaying their arrival Tober explained.

Next she saw a van block the first arriving officers and said in spite of the patrol vehicle’s flashing lights and blaring sirens, the driver refused to move out of the officer’s way, further delaying official’s response times to the accident.

Officers eventually brought the free-for-all under control with help from firefighters who positioned their vehicles in the middle of the intersection. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

There was “nothing but cars honking at other cars to make them go despite the fact that the wreck was blocking traffic,” Tober explained. “All while rescue personnel were trying to stay out of the way and help the victims.”

“Didn’t matter…” Tober continued. “People still honked impatiently, ignored emergency vehicles, and disobeyed every single traffic law regarding an intersection and an accident scene!”

“People are straight disgusting and selfish!” Tober lamented.

Area mother and grandmother, Misha Lisa Droubie, later described seeing at least “ten vehicles” that failed to yield to just one of the two arriving fire apparatus.

“People it’s the law!” Droubie admonished on the same social media post. “Flashing light’s of emergency vehicle’s have the right (of) way.”

Cindy McKernan also commented, writing, “That’s maddening. I wish they’d start ticketing these people.”

Among countless others who angrily commented the post was long-time Hemet resident, Sandy Kilcrease. “All the people who keep driving better hope help is never caught up by idiot drivers when (rescuers) are rushing to save your family member,” wrote Kilcrease.

Click any image to open full-size gallery.

A Hemet Fire battalion chief and police community service officer arrived at the scene within moments of the dispatched call. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Motorist’s turned the intersection into a chaotic scene, while recklessly passing the crash scene, endangering the lives of first responders. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

The CSO and battalion chief try to begin helping the victims, as cars, pickups and big-rigs continued traveling through the intersection. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Before other officials could make their way through the heavy traffic, two lone officials tried to manage the free-for-all. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Fire officials eventually placed an engine and command vehicle in the middle of the intersection to protect the drivers involved in the crash. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

A silver Chevy sedan sustained major rear-end damage in the collision. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

The pickup struck the sedan with enough speed and force to deploy its airbags. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Motor officers with Hemet PD’s Traffic Unit are investigating the cause of the wreck. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo

Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents video

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and 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.