UPDATED: Monday, Jan. 3, 2:30 p.m. With traffic condition update.
WILDOMAR, Calif., — Although details are continuing to emerge, officials have confirmed that a man was killed after leaping in front of an oncoming tractor-trailer big rig earlier this morning, Monday, Jan. 3. Early and unconfirmed reports from the scene indicate the initial vehicle versus pedestrian collision may have caused a second crash, after another big rig was unable to avoid colliding into the first semi-truck when the first driver tried to avoid striking the pedestrian.
The deadly collision, which left the victim’s lifeless body in the lanes of travel and caused a traffic nightmare for area residents and commuters, happened on the northbound I-15, just south of Baxter Road/Wildomar Trail in Wildomar.
California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Cal Fire – Riverside, and other emergency personnel were alerted to the deadly collision shortly before 11 a.m. after multiple people called 911 to report the collision.
A CHP incident log at the time of the crash indicated that several vehicles had stopped at the scene, with multiple people attempting to help the mortally injured pedestrian.
When officials arrived, they found more than a dozen big rigs and other vehicles stopped within the slow lane and just off the highway. Officials also found a small crowd of citizens around the deceased victim’s body, which was left partially blocking the freeway.
Paramedics soon confirmed the victim, described as a male wearing a red shirt and black jacket, had already succumbed to his injuries and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
In addition to the driver of the big rig that struck the victim, officers interviewed the driver of a cement hauler that early reports from the scene indicated may have crashed into the back end of the first semi, after its driver slammed on his brakes while trying to avoid the pedestrian.
CHP’s incident log indicated that the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office was summoned to the scene around noon, and that a hard closure of the freeway had been requested; with Cal Trans headed to the scene to assist with the closure and cleanup of the highway.
While CHP and other emergency personnel continued working at the scene, the freeway was soon backed up for several miles, with area residents reporting significant delays in their travel times. However, the roadway has since been cleared with traffic reportedly back to normal.
No further details were immediately available, and CHP’s investigation is active and ongoing at the scene.
ORIGINAL STORY:
WILDOMAR, Calif., — Although details are continuing to emerge, officials have confirmed that a man was killed after leaping in front of an oncoming tractor-trailer big rig earlier this morning, Monday, Jan. 3. Early and unconfirmed reports from the scene indicated the initial vehicle versus pedestrian collision may have caused a second crash, after another big rig was unable to avoid colliding into the first semi-truck after the first driver tried to avoid striking the pedestrian.
The deadly collision, which left the victim’s lifeless body in the lanes of travel and caused a traffic nightmare for area residents and commuters, happened on the northbound I-15, just south of Baxter Road/Wildomar Trail in Wildomar.
California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Cal Fire – Riverside, and other emergency personnel were alerted to the deadly collision shortly before 11 a.m. after multiple people called 911 to report the multi-vehicle, chain-reaction crash.
A CHP incident log at the time of the crash indicated that several vehicles had stopped at the scene, with multiple people attempting to help the mortally injured pedestrian.
When officials arrived, they found more than a dozen big rigs and other vehicles stopped within the roadway and just off the highway. Officials also found a small crowd of citizens around the deceased victim’s body, which was left partially within the slow lane of the freeway.
Paramedics soon confirmed the victim, described as a male wearing a red shirt and black jacket, had already succumbed to his injuries and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
In addition to the driver of the big rig that struck the victim, officers interviewed the driver of a cement hauler that may early reports from the scene indicated may have crashed into the back end of the first semi, after its driver slammed on his brakes while trying to avoid the pedestrian.
CHP’s incident log indicated that the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office was summoned to the scene around noon, and that a hard closure of the freeway had been requested, with Cal Trans headed to the scene to assist with the closure and cleanup of the highway.
While CHP and other emergency personnel continued working at the scene, the freeway was soon backed up for several miles, with area residents reporting significant delays in their travel times.
No further details were immediately available, and CHP’s investigation is active and ongoing at the scene.
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.
Contact the writer: trevor.rcns@gmail.com
