Two collisions on mountain highways
Two traffic collisions occurred on mountain highways over the last week, according to California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Matt Napier.
On March 9 at 6:50 a.m., Bryce Evan Fletcher, 19 of Hemet, was driving his gray 2011 Toyota Tacoma northbound on Highway 243 just north of Saunders Meadow Road at a stated speed of 45-50 mph. Due to his unsafe speed, Fletcher drifted to the right, off the roadway and onto the dirt shoulder where he hit a rock and overturned. The vehicle came to a rest upright on its wheels facing west, blocking the roadway.
Fletcher was uninjured but his passenger was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center by Idyllwild Fire Protection District with complaint of back pain. Fletcher’s truck was towed by Idyllwild Garage.
On March 12 at 2:53 a.m., Jacqueline Mendez, 20 of Hemet, was driving her gray 2019 Toyota Camry eastbound on Highway 74 near mile marker 53 at approximately 50 mph. Mendez made an unsafe left turn, traveled across the lanes and into the northbound shoulder colliding with a large boulder and a yellow and black arrow sign. The vehicle overturned, coming to a rest on its roof, blocking the eastbound lane.
Mendez complained of upper body and neck pain but was not transported to a hospital. She was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Her vehicle was towed by Idyllwild Garage.
