1 dead, 3 injured – after “medical emergency” leads to Riverside crash

RIVERSIDE — Three people were hospitalized, including a woman and teenage girl who suffered critical injuries, after a man suffered a medical emergency that ultimately led to his death, Saturday evening, March 30. The crash happened at the intersection of Van Buren Blvd. and Arlington Ave. in Riverside.

Within moments of arriving at the scene of the deadly incident, officials witnessed a woman in her 50s struck by a car at the same intersection. 

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City of Riverside Police and Fire Departments, along with AMR and other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the scene at 8:48 p.m., after receiving multiple reports of a major injury traffic collision at the intersection.

When officials arrived they found two wrecked vehicles, described as a white Dodge dually pick-up truck with heavy front-end damage, and a silver Ford Focus with heavy passenger side damage.

According to Riverside Fire officials and evidence at the scene, after the initial collision the pickup had come to rest on a sidewalk after jumping a curb, mowing down a street sign, shearing off a fire hydrant, and hitting a tree. The Ford was in the lanes of traffic, blocking the roadway. Vehicle parts, including one of the Ford’s wheels, were spread throughout the intersection and across several hundred feet road.

A man who suffered a medical emergency died at the scene of a two vehicle crash that sent three other victims to the hospital, including a woman and 16-year-old girl who were critically injured in the collision. IE Prime photo

“The Engine Company Officer immediately requested an additional Engine Company and a total of four AMR ambulances,” RFD later reported in a social media release. “As the officer was briefing the Battalion Chief that had just arrived on scene, a pedestrian was struck by a car on the other side of the intersection on Arlington.”

An additional engine company and ambulance crew was requested for the vehicle versus pedestrian collision, which was managed as a separate incident, according to RFD. That pedestrian, described as a woman in her 50s, was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Paramedics began evaluating and treating multiple people who were in the two vehicles at the time of the crash. Despite life-saving efforts, the driver of the Dodge, described as a 50-year-old male, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim has not yet been publicly identified.

The 55-year-old, female passenger who was with him was transported to an area hospital in moderate condition.

The occupants from the Ford, described as a woman in her 50s, and a 16-year-old girl, were transported to separate area hospitals in critical condition.

Based on the circumstances, officers assigned to the Riverside PD’s Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

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Their preliminary investigation revealed the Dodge pick-up was traveling south on Van Buren Blvd. toward Arlington Ave. just before the crash. At the same time, the Ford was traveling west on Arlington Ave. approaching the intersection.

As the Dodge neared the intersection, the driver “began suffering from a medical emergency,” according to RPD. The Dodge then entered the intersection at a “high rate of speed against the red light” and plowed broadside into the  Ford.

During their investigation, officers called for the temporary closure of northbound Van Buren Blvd., between Arlington Ave. and Jackson St. The roadway was reopened several hours later.

Riverside PD’s investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this collision or who witnessed the crash and has not yet provided a statement is encouraged to call Riverside Police Detective Z. Fishell at (951) 826-8723. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of 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 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 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.