Fiery Crash Injures Three in Jurupa Valley

A high speed highway collision caused a pickup truck to burst into flames, seriously injuring all three occupants on board Friday night in Jurupa Valley.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident took place just after 10:15 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of the 60 Freeway west of Pedley Road, where a 1993 Dodge Ram pickup truck began slowing to a stop in the left hand lane. As the vehicle’s speed quickly dropped, it was struck from behind by a 2012 Lexus sedan traveling at 65 to 75 miles per hour. “The Lexus driver allowed her vehicle to collide with the rear of the Dodge,” confirmed CHP Public Information Officer Travis Monks.

Immediately upon impact, the pickup truck caught fire, said witness Lawrence J. Sanchez. He, along with several others, rushed to the burning truck to help those inside. “When she (a female passenger in the front seat) finally got up, her whole head was on fire. So I sprayed the fire extinguisher at her face to put all of the flames out around her hear. My fire extinguisher wasn’t that big, so I did the best I could. And by that time, the other people helping forced her out and grabbed her and put her down on the ground,” said Sanchez. “It was horrific, the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen in an accident, and I’ve been driving almost 30 years.”

The 29 year old female passenger was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in the city of Colton for treatment of serious burn related injuries. The 44 year old driver of the pickup truck and the 25 year old Lexus driver were also taken by ambulance to Riverside Community Hospital, where the pickup truck driver was treated for burns, and the Lexus driver was treated for unknown injuries.

Following the accident, CHP officers shut down all lanes of the eastbound 60 Freeway, causing major congestion throughout the area. Lanes remained closed for more than an hour as firefighters put out the burning truck, ambulances and helicopters removed those injured, and cleanup crews removed the wreckage from lanes. BY 11:45 p.m., all lanes were reopened.

If you’ve been injured in a high speed highway accident such as this, you should seek help. Depending on the circumstances that surround your accident, you may be entitled to compensation from those at fault to help pay for things like automobile repairs, medical bills, and even replace wages lost from time spent away from work.

At AA Accident Attorneys, we will fight for your rights and get you everything you need to get back on your feet as quickly as possible. As always, we will not charge you anything for our services until your case is won. For more information and a free evaluation to discuss your legal options, call us right away, we can be reached seven days a week, any time day or night.