1 Killed, Several Children Injured In Multi-Vehicle Crash On 215 Freeway In Riverside
RIVERSIDE (CBSLA) — At least one person was killed and several people – including children – were injured in a multi-vehicle crash Thursday morning on the 215 Freeway in Riverside.
The crash happened at about 7 a.m. on the southbound 215 Freeway to the 215 southbound transition road at the Moreno Valley interchange. According to the California Highway Patrol, a Toyota Sienna with seven people inside veered into the left lane, directly into the path of the box truck.
The driver of the box truck wasn't able to avoid a collision with the van and hit its left rear, making it spin out of control. The CHP says the van entered a gore point between the transition road and the eastbound 60 Freeway then hit a collapsible guardrail.
One person, a passenger in the van, was declared dead at the scene. That person's gender or age has not been released.
Six others, some of whom had to be cut out of the wreckage by firefighters, were taken to hospitals in critical condition. Several of those people were children who suffered traumatic injuries, according to Riverside Fire Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst. At least one child suffered a head injury, according to the CHP.
The driver of the box truck cooperated with the investigation, according to the CHP. Alcohol was not suspected to be a factor in the crash.
A Sigalert was issued for the southbound 215 transition road for several hours.