86 Expressway Re-opens after crash
Harsh winds and a cloud of dust may have caused a dozen vehicles, including 4 big rigs, to crash on Thursday along the 86 Expressway, according to the Sheriff’s department.
Traffic slowed down to a halt as authorities cleaned up the mess.
It happened just after 5 p.m.
The expressway was shutdown between Avenues 50 and 52 for several hours.
The southbound lanes reopened at around 8 p.m., and the northbound lanes reopened at around 10 p.m.
Several people were taken to local hospitals.
But authorities said their injuries are not serious.
The winds were howling in the afternoon, and that may have played a role in the crash.
Passenger cars and a truck were smashed — a suburban was trapped beneath a big rig.
Javier Medina was involved in the crash but suffered minor injuries.
“Only my two daughters were hurt,” he said. “They took (them) to the hospital.”
“I understand that none of the injuries are greater than moderate,” said Lt. Terrence Tingle, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
The expressway is surrounded by agricultural land, and authorities suspect the hazy conditions may have played a role in the crash.
“I got hit twice,” said Medina. “I’m lucky I’m alive.”
Visibility was down to zero when the crash happened at around 5:10 p.m.
Medina was on his way from Mexicali to his home in Whittier when he was rear-ended.
He said he stopped his car because he couldn’t see anything in front of him.
“Then, when I moved to the side, somebody hit me from behind and then it pushed me to the middle, and I got hit by the truck too,” said Medina.
Authorities warned all drivers to avoid clouded roads when the wind kicks up the dust.
“Motorists need to know to slow down,” said Tingle.
There were two separate wrecks within yards of one another, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
In total, four big rigs and 8 other vehicles were involved, authorities said.
“It was bad,” said Medina. “It was bad.”
Authorities stress that these windy and dusty conditions are bound to return — to potentially all areas of the desert.
Just ease up on the pedal and pull over if you can’t see.
