by Carl Baker on 2013-09-06
Several people had to be extricated from their vehicles after a three-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver last Wednesday morning on the westbound Interstate 10 between Wabash Avenue and Ford Street. All westbound lanes of the freeway were closed for approximately an hour.
Firefighters from Redlands and Yucaipa responded to the collision involving three vehicles at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. Victims from two of the vehicles were extracted using the Jaws of Life.
One driver suffered major multi-system trauma and an obvious fracture to his left arm. The patient was extricated from the vehicle and transported to the trauma center at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.
The driver of a second vehicle told firefighters he was ejected from his vehicle onto the freeway and then hit by a passing car. He had an obvious fracture to one leg, and suffered multi-system trauma. The other occupants of his vehicle had to be extricated from the vehicle. The female passenger, who was 33 weeks pregnant, complained of pain to one leg and abdominal pain. There were also two children in the vehicle with minor injuries. According to the occupants of the vehicle, none of them were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. All four occupants were transported to the trauma center at Loma Linda University Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.
The driver of a third vehicle suffered facial injuries and lost consciousness as a result of the accident. He was also transported to the trauma center at Loma Linda University Medical Center for evaluation and treatment.
All patients were transported by American Medical Response who responded with five ambulances and a supervisor.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.