UPDATED: Wednesday, June 3, 2:45 p.m., With additional details.
SAN JACINTO, Calif. — At least one person was hospitalized and will be undergoing back surgery after a two-vehicle crash in San Jacinto this morning, Wednesday, June3.
The rear-end, major injury collision happened at the intersection of Ramona Expressway and N. Lyon Ave.
Deputies from the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station, along with Cal Fire and AMR, were dispatched to the scene of the crash around 6 a.m., after receiving reports of a two-vehicle collision with possible entrapment, official radio traffic at the time indicated.
When officials arrived they found two wrecked vehicles, described as a white Chevy pickup truck with major front-end damage and a dark-colored GMC SUV with major rear-end damage.
Firefighters work at the scene of this morning’s rear-end collision on Ramona Expressway.
Officials reported that vehicle parts and debris were scattered across both directions of Ramona Expressway, and early morning commuters were slowly working past the wrecked vehicles.
Some witnesses at the scene reported a third vehicle was possibly involved; however, no information was readily available regarding that vehicle.
Although officials have not released any information regarding this collision, family members of the GMC driver have reported the accident happened after the SUV stalled within the lanes of traffic and was then struck from behind by the pickup truck.
Evidence at the scene supported the family’s account and indicated the white pickup was traveling north on Ramona Expressway when it plowed into the back of the SUV.
The tremendous impact spun the GMC within the intersection and sent the Chevy careening over a raised median, before it came to rest in the opposing lanes of traffic.
Although paramedics were seen evaluating and treating both drivers involved in the collision before transporting the SUV driver to an area hospital, it was not immediately known if the other driver was transported for further treatment. However, witnesses at the scene said that driver was up and walking around after the crash.
Family members later updated that the SUV driver was seriously injured and is awaiting back surgery while undergoing treatment for his other injuries.
While emergency personnel worked at the scene, deputies called for the temporary closure of Ramona Expressway between Chase St. and N. Sanderson Ave., and area residents later reported the closure caused minor delays in their travel times.
It was not yet known if alcohol and/or drug intoxication or distracted driving were contributing factors in the collision and deputies are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
