Driver, 76, identified after fatal SR-60 crash involving big rig & box truck
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Authorities say a Los Angeles man was killed in a two-vehicle, rear-end traffic collision in the unincorporated area of Mira Loma, between the cities of Jurupa Valley and Eastvale, Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 19.
The fatal accident, which forced the partial closure of the highway and led to a SigAlert, happened on the westbound 60 Freeway, just east of Milliken Avenue, according to California Highway Patrol.
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CHP-Riverside units and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the area around 12:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a traffic collision involving a tractor-trailer semi and box truck, with one victim critically injured and trapped inside the box truck, CHP Officer Juan Quintero has since reported.
Arriving officials confirmed finding one victim trapped inside the mangled wreckage of a box truck and began a cut and rescue operation to free the victim.
Despite their efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the scene before he could be freed.
The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has since identified Jesus Meno, 76, of Norwalk, as the man killed in the collision. A Coroner’s release indicated he was pronounced deceased at 12:50 p.m.
During CHP’s subsequent investigation, officers determined that just before the deadly collision the big rig with attached trailer were stopped behind traffic, in the #3 westbound lane of SR-60, east of Milliken Avenue, while the box truck was approaching from behind at highway speed.
“For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the box truck was unable to safely slow or stop his vehicle and the front of the box truck collided with the rear of the semi-truck and trailer,” Quintero explained; adding, “The force of the impact inflicted fatal injuries to the driver, who was the sole occupant of the box truck.”
CHP’s investigation is active and ongoing and anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet been interviewed is encouraged to contact the California Highway Patrol, Accident Investigation Unit at (951) 637-8000. Callers can refer to incident file number 9840202113235 and can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
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 30 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 18 grandchildren.