Once the snow began falling Friday near noon, traffic collisions began to occur throughout the Hill. One of the first was at the Pine Cove Market where this vehicle driving south on Highway 243 left the road and smashed into the barrier at the market. Photo by JP Crumrine
Once the snow began falling Friday near noon, traffic collisions began to occur throughout the Hill. One of the first was at the Pine Cove Market where this vehicle driving south on Highway 243 left the road and smashed into the barrier at the market.
Photo by JP Crumrine

California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Darren Meyer reported snow and icy conditions on Hill roads over the weekend created hazardous conditions that led to many minor fender benders.

Because of the number of incidents to which CHP deputies responded beginning with snow and ice on Friday, Dec. 11, not all incidents were logged in. Meyer noted only those with injuries or significant property damage had reached his desk as of deadline for this edition. “Because of ice conditions, it is at the discretion of a responding officer whether to issue a citation,” said Meyer.

What Meyer did report were two collisions, one on Friday, Dec. 11, and a second on Saturday, Dec. 12.

At 4:20 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Ronald Roberts Jr., 31, of Lake Elsinore, was driving his gray 2008 Chrysler 300 auto eastbound on Highway 74 at mile marker 50.98 east of Cranston Station in wet road conditions when he lost control and ran into a tree. Roberts sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Hemet Valley Medical Center. No other vehicles were involved.

At 2:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Brandon Swift, 34, of Idyllwild, was driving his 2001 white Dodge truck north on Highway 243 east of Round Robin Drive when he hit ice, lost control, spun around, crossed southbound lanes, hit the guardrail and may have gone over the side. Meyer noted that the report was not clear about Swift going over the side. Meyer said the responding deputy’s report noted Swift was driving too fast for road conditions when the incident occurred. Swift was uninjured and no other vehicles were involved.

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