The Valley Chronicle - CRIME BRIEFS - Jan.19, 2017

■ By Halima Haider / Reporter SEVERAL INJURED, 1 TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL AFTER 3-VEHICLE COLLISION Several people sustained minor injuries and one victim was transported to an area hospital after a three-vehicle traffic collision Sunday, Jan. 8 involving a black PT Cruiser, a maroon Hyundai Santa Fe and a silver Chevrolet pickup truck. The minor-injury collision happened at the main entrance to the Page Plaza/Walmart shopping center off of Sanderson Avenue south of Stetson Avenue. The initial collision caused the Chevrolet pickup truck to lose control and crash into a bus stop bench and trash bin. The PT Cruiser reportedly sustained major damage. City of Hemet Fire and Police Departments responded to the scene of the accident around 4 p.m. after several witnesses called 911 to report the accident. A Hemet police officer arrived at the scene of the accident about 30 seconds after the call was dispatched. Firefighters arrived minutes later. AMR medics and Hemet police volunteers also responded to the accident. A woman was transported to Hemet Valley Hospital for minor injury. The main entrance to Page Plaza was temporarily closed off while officials treated the injured and worked to remove the damaged vehicles from the roadway. The entrance was reopened once the damaged vehicles were towed from the scene and emergency first responders had cleared the area. TRAFFIC COLLISION INJURES TWO SNARLING AFTERNOON TRAFFIC At least two people were injured in an afternoon two vehicle traffic collision between a black Lexus and a red Kia Sportage in the intersection of Florida Avenue and Buena Vista Street on Sunday, Jan. 8. Hemet’s Fire and Police departments responded to the accident shortly after 2:30 p.m. after passersby called 911. Police found both vehicles moderately damaged at the scene while firefighters and paramedics treated those injured before AMR medics transported them to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment. At the scene, the damaged vehicles partially blocked the roadway, and all westbound lanes of traffic were initially closed off. The vehicles were towed from the scene as firefighters inspected and cleaned up spilled fuel and other vehicle fluids. The roadway reopened about 45 minutes after the incident. The Hemet Police Department is still investigating the cause of accident. ROLLOVER ACCIDENT VICTIM AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL A man trapped inside a SUV that rolled at least three times had to be cut free from the wreckage by rescue team. The afternoon accident occurred Jan. 8 near Lake Skinner in the 37700 block of Warren Rd. at the intersection of Borel Road in Winchester. According to April Newman of the Riverside County Fire Department, it took first responders 28 minutes to extricate the man from the wreckage, who was then airlifted by a Mercy Air 3 helicopter to an area hospital due to serious injuries. Cal Fire, Riverside County firefighters, three fire engine companies, and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene of the accident about 3:26 p.m., after several people called 911 to report the accident. The cause of the accident is under investigation.