CHP Officer Ron Esparza investigates the scene at this afternoon's fatal crash on Highway 243. Photo by John Pacheco
Highway 243's southbound lane is now open with traffic control following a nearly three-hour closure due to a fatal traffic collision involving a county vehicle and a sedan.
At about 2:30 p.m. Monday, a white Honda Civic LE was traveling southbound on Highway 243 when it crossed into the wrong lane and hit a Riverside County Transportation tri-axle gravel truck towing a trailer head-on. A passenger in the Honda was not wearing a seatbelt and died without being ejected from the vehicle. Possibly another passenger in the Honda also was killed. The county truck was not loaded at the time. Town Crier said the front left tire of the truck is folded completely under.
Further details will be reported as they are received.
Note: A prior report incorrectly identified the truck as belonging to Caltrans.
