A male driver crashed a gray Nissan into a ditch along State Route 74 early Saturday morning before allegedly attempting to reverse the vehicle and flee the scene, according to California Highway Patrol incident logs.
The crash was initially reported at 1:43 a.m. near the intersection of Theda Street and SR-74. Multiple callers alerted dispatchers that a vehicle had driven off the roadway and into a ditch. According to the reporting parties, the driver smelled of alcohol and there was beer visible inside the vehicle.
Before emergency responders could arrive, witnesses reported the driver was actively trying to put the Nissan in reverse to drive away and leave the scene of the crash.
CAL FIRE Riverside personnel and deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO) were dispatched to assist. Fire department personnel arrived on the scene at 2:04 a.m., confirming to dispatchers that the driver had been drinking. RSO deputies arrived shortly after to take over the investigation due to the delayed arrival of CHP units.
A local tow company was dispatched at 2:08 a.m. to remove the Nissan from the ditch.
