Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
A box truck failed to stop in time before hitting a Prius, which engulfed both of the vehicles in flames and the Prius driver died before he could escape.
Firemen work to put out the fire on southbound I-15 between Overland Drive and Rancho California Road.
TEMECULA – A motorist was killed and another driver was injured Thursday, April 22, in a fiery three-vehicle collision on Interstate 15 in Temecula.
Kevin May, 47, of Fontana was at the wheel of a box truck directly behind a Prius and failed to slow down, causing his vehicle's "front end to collide into the Toyota's rear end,'' according to CHP representative Officer Lassig.
May, who was hauling furniture, is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, Lassig said. He was hospitalized with moderate injuries at Inland Valley Medical Center, and has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the officer said.
The crash happened about 12:30 p.m. on southbound I-15 between Overland Drive and Rancho California Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officer Mike Lassig said all of the vehicles were in the slow lane when a tractor-trailer driven by a 47-year-old Bloomington woman slowed for traffic, and the victim, driving a 2015 Toyota Prius, braked behind the big rig.
"The box truck and Toyota became engulfed in flames,'' he said. The driver of the Prius, who was not immediately identified, was unable to escape the inferno and perished in the sedan, according to the CHP representative.
May bailed out of his truck, suffering moderate injuries, and was taken to Inland Valley Regional Medical Center in Wildomar. The big rig driver was not hurt, and the semi did not burn, Lassig said.
Murrieta Fire & Rescue and Riverside County Fire Department crews reached the location within a few minutes and knocked down the blaze just before 1 p.m.
Lassig said the investigation is ongoing and an arrest may be imminent. CHP officers shut down three of four southbound lanes to facilitate first responders and clear the wreckage. A SigAlert was issued at 12:55 p.m. for both sides of I-15 due to major traffic congestion stemming from the crash.
By 5 p.m., two lanes were available, and two lanes remained closed on the southbound side, according to the CHP.
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