Crime & Safety
Two Men Hospitalized After Crash in Whitewater
The crash happened about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, involving a Dodge van, a big rig carrying an oversized piece of heavy equipment and a Chevrolet pickup truck.
Two men are hospitalized with injuries received in a three-vehicle crash near Interstate 10 and State Route 62, authorities said today.
The crash happened about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, involving a Dodge van, a big rig carrying an oversized piece of heavy equipment and a Chevrolet pickup truck.
The van driven by 62-year-old David Erskine struck the big rig driven by 36-year-old Charles Ashworth of Lodi, on the westbound I-10 west of the 62, California Highway Patrol Officer Joe Zagorski said.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"The Dodge was traveling on the connector road at a much higher rate of speed than the (big rig) was traveling at ... Erskine failed to see the (big rig) until just prior to impact, Erskine attempted to change lanes to the left, but failed to avoid the trailer, striking the rear portion," Zagorski said.
The van then spun to the left and struck the Chevy pickup driven by 52- year-old Eugene Alvarado of Imperial, which also was traveling westbound on I- 10.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The van rolled onto its side, blocking westbound lanes of I-10, and the pickup spun, rolled over and stopped on the north shoulder of I-10, Zagorski said.
Erskine sustained major injuries and Alvarado received moderate injuries. Both were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center. Ashworth wasn't hurt.
Westbound lanes were temporarily closed and traffic backed up to North Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, Zagorski said.
