HEMET: Three hospitalized after four-vehicle collision involving tandem-trailer big-rig
HEMET — Three people were injured – two seriously – in a four-vehicle, chain reaction, traffic collision involving a tandem-trailer big-rig, Monday afternoon, June 11. The major injury multiple-vehicle accident happened in an unincorporated area south of Hemet, on Domenigoni Parkway, just west of Warren Road.
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Multiple law enforcement, fire, and rescue agencies were dispatched to the accident about 2:30 p.m., after 911 callers reported a rear-end collision that sent two vehicles careening directly into the path of an oncoming big-rig.
The driver of a Mercedes-Benz was one of two people seriously injured when the sedan plowed into the back of a Saturn SUV, sending both vehicles careening into oncoming traffic. John Strangis/Eye News Media photo
Based on the circumstances, City of Hemet Police and Fire, California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, and American Medical Response were all dispatched to the scene of the wreck.
When officials arrived they found black Mercedes-Benz sedan and black Saturn SUV blocking the westbound lanes of Domenigoni Parkway. The Mercedes had sustained major passenger side and front-end damage and the Saturn sustained heavy front-end damage.
A gold Chrysler minivan was parked in the center divider of the eastbound lanes and a rented tandem-trailer bottom dump big-rig with moderate front-end damage was parked off the north side of the roadway, facing west.
Vehicle parts and debris were spread across more than 150 yards of Domenigoni and westbound traffic was unable to continue due to the wrecked vehicles blocking the roadway.
Firefighter/Paramedics began evaluating and treating the victims injured in the crash. The occupants from the Mercedes and Saturn were eventually transported to a local trauma center with major traumatic injuries.
The driver of the semi truck was transported with minor injuries and the driver of the minivan was evaluated at the scene and declined further treatment.
While rescue personnel treated the victims of the crash, CHP investigated the cause of the wreck. Officers determined that just before the accident the Saturn, Mercedes, and Chrysler were all traveling eastbound on Domenigoni approaching the intersection. At the same time, the tandem-trailer big-rig was traveling westbound.
Witnesses at the scene later told John Strangis of Hemet Eye News that the Saturn rear-ended the Mercedes, causing both vehicles to careen across the dirt median and into the westbound lanes of traffic, directly into the path of the semi-truck. Unable to stop in time, the big-rig plowed broadside into the Mercedes.
It was not immediately known how the Chrysler was involved in the collision.
CHP’s investigation is ongoing and officials are still working to determine if alcohol or drug intoxication were contributing factors in the crash.
Click any image to open full-size gallery.
All photos by John Strangis/Eye News Media
All photos by Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents
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 several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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 – soon to be 15 – grandchildren.
Is this a misprint or accident? How can all of the vehicles be traveling eastbound? It is not possible to all be traveling eastbound at the same time & end up in such a tragedy. Officers determined that just before the accident the Saturn, Mercedes, and Chrysler were all traveling eastbound on Domenigoni approaching the intersection. At the same time, the tandem-trailer big-rig was traveling eastbound.
Oops…that’s what happens when I am still typing at 3 and 4 a.m. Thank you for letting me know, Murlie. I will correct my error.
-TM