Children, 2 & 6, killed – second infant airlifted after I-10 rollover
THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. — Authorities are investigating the cause of a deadly rollover in Thousand Palms that killed two children, critically injured a third child, and left four other victims hospitalized with moderate injuries late Friday evening, June 19.
The children killed in the solo-vehicle rollover, which happened on I-10 near Cook St., have since been identified as residents of Bothell, Washington; located about 20 miles northeast of Seattle.
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CHP, Cal Fire-Riverside, AMR, and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene of the deadly crash shortly before midnight, after receiving reports of a rollover traffic accident with possible ejections, CHP and fire officials have since reported.
When officials arrived they found a white, heavily damaged Jeep Commander upside down and on its roof; with vehicle parts, debris, and personal belongings scattered across the highway.
CHP officials discuss a deadly, solo-vehicle crash that killed two children, ages 2 and 6, and seriously injured a third child, described as an infant. Four other victims were also injured in the rollover accident. KESQ News Channel 3 photo
Officials found seven victims, including at least three young children, injured in the solo-vehicle crash.
Although Cal-Fire initially reported that two infants died at the scene and a third infant was seriously injured in the late-night crash, a coroner’s release has since indicated the two victims who died were 2 and 6-years-old.
Calls and messages requesting clarification sent to Cal Fire had not been responded to as of this report.
Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials have since identified the siblings as 2-year-old, Jeremiah Toomer, and 6-year-old Alia Toomer.
A coroner’s release issued this morning indicated the pair were pronounced deceased within one minute of each other.
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Based on another of the children’s injuries, a Mercy Air Ambulance was launched to the scene and airlifted the young victim to an area trauma center with serious injuries. Cal-Fire later described the child as an infant.
Four other victims were transported by ground ambulance to area hospitals for treatment of injuries Cal-Fire described as moderate.
CHP’s investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. KESQ News Channel 3 photo
“We had a vehicle traveling eastbound I-10, east of Cook, and for an unknown reason the vehicle lost control and rolled over within the traffic lanes of I-10,” CHP – Indio Area Sgt. Randy Sanchez later told KESQ News.
The accident forced the closure of the eastbound I-10 and CHP is continuing to investigate the cause of the deadly crash.
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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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 16 grandchildren.