Ejected driver airlifted with critical, life-threatening injuries after speeding through “stale red light” and hitting SUV

HEMET, Calif., — Authorities say a driver was critically injured and suffered “numerous life-threatening injuries” after he was ejected when he ran a “stale red light” and crashed at high speed into an SUV last night, Wednesday, April 13.

The crash, which forced the hours-long closure of Warren Road, happened at the intersection of W. Florida Avenue, according to officials.

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City of Hemet police and fire personnel were dispatched to the scene around 9:15 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of a major injury, two-vehicle traffic collision with one driver ejected, Hemet Police Officer Alan Reyes said after last night’s collision.

When officials arrived, they found two wrecked vehicles described as a black Audi sedan and black Chevrolet Traverse. They also confirmed finding the driver of the Audi who had suffered “numerous life-threatening injuries” when he was ejected in the crash, according to Reyes.

A critically injured man who was ejected from his vehicle after speeding through a “stale red light” and crashing into an SUV was airlifted to a Moreno Valley Trauma Center with “numerous life-threatening injuries”, according to a Hemet PD spokesperson.

Based on the severity of the man’s injuries, officials at the scene requested a life flight, at which time a Mercy Air Ambulance was launched to the location.

The ejected victim was eventually airlifted to Riverside University Health System’s Trauma Center in Moreno Valley. His current condition was not immediately available.

Others injured in the collision were transported by ground ambulances to RUHS, while the driver of the Chevrolet Traverse was released by medics on scene with injuries described as superficial.

During their subsequent investigation, officers obtained numerous statements from witnesses who reported seeing the Audi traveling westbound on Florida Avenue toward Warren Road at a high rate of speed just before the collision.

“The Audi continued through the stale red traffic signal at Warren Road where it collided with a black Chevrolet Traverse traveling northbound on Warren Road,” Reyes went on to explain, saying the Chevrolet entered the intersection on a green light.

“The Audi then struck the Chevrolet within the intersection, causing the driver of the Audi to be ejected from his vehicle,” Reyes continued.

Officials have not yet ruled out alcohol and/or drug intoxication as possible contributing factors and the collision remains under investigation by Hemet PD.

Anyone with further information or who witnessed the collision and has not yet provided a statement is encouraged to contact the department at (951) 765-2400. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Timothy Franzese / Public Safety Incidents photos above, video below.

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Trevor Montgomery, 51, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and operates Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS). Both are stringer organizations, providing breaking news coverage and community interest stories for other mainstream media organizations throughout the two regions they serve.

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.