The incident occurred around 12:22 p.m. on Interstate 215 near the Scott Road exit in Murrieta. According to witnesses, a silver Honda sedan failed to stop for heavy traffic, initiating a chain-reaction crash. The Honda rear-ended a Chevy S-10, causing the pickup truck to rollover and hit a Chevy Malibu. The S-10 came to rest on its roof.

According to the CHP, the driver of the sedan and the driver and passenger in the S-10 were taken by ambulance to Inland Valley Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

The collision caused a traffic backup, which may have induced other car accidents, including a Nissan Versa that was sideswiped by a semi truck as it attempted to bypass traffic on the shoulder of the freeway. The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker would like to remind shoulder-skirters that it really isn’t worth the risk.

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Witnesses saw a semi truck heading east on Interstate 10 rear-end a pickup truck. After the collision, the semi crossed into oncoming traffic, colliding with another semi traveling westbound. Another vehicle was involved in the crash, bringing the total number of vehicles involved to four. It was unknown how many people may have been injured.

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According to authorities, the accident occurred when Amanda Salas, of Camarillo, entered the freeway in her Jeep Cherokee. As she merged, she sideswiped a Chevy pickup driven by Alberto Yuriar, of El Monte. Yuriar lost control of his truck, which overturned in a ditch after exiting the freeway. Salas also lost control of her SUV, which veered left across the 101, hit the center divider, and overturned.

Rescue teams were able to help Lonnie Salas, of Camarillo, out of the passenger side of the Jeep. Rescue teams also helped Yuriar out of his crashed pickup truck. Yuriar’s passenger was able to exit the overturned truck on his own. Both drivers and both passengers were taken to the hospital in ambulances.

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Kevin Patterson was driving to work when he witnessed a Chevy Malibu rear-end a black Ford Mustang, which had just rear-ended a Cadillac Escalade. The vehicles were in the left lane of Interstate 15. Patterson pulled to the right shoulder and crossed the freeway to help.

Patterson was talking with the male driver and female passenger of the Malibu when he heard a vehicle approaching the disabled vehicles. Patterson took action, pushing the woman into the center divider and helping the 300-pound male over the railing. A red pickup truck crashed into the Malibu seconds later. Patterson was injured during the incident, as was the driver of the Malibu.

The victim who was killed in the crash was the driver of the Ford Mustang. The 30-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene and has not yet been identified. Authorities are currently investigating the crash.

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The NHTSA believes there are a few reasons for the increase in traffic fatalities. Motorcycles appear to be the biggest factor, for reasons including warmer winter weather, higher gas prices, and a reduction of helmet usage. Motorcycles are being blamed as a chief component of the increase in traffic deaths. Motorcycle accidents resulting in fatalities in 2012 increased 9% over levels from 2011; About 5,000 motorcyclists died in 2012 according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Only 19 states require mandatory motorcycle helmet usage.

The rebounding economy may also be another factor in the increase. With a better economy, more people are driving and more people are driving when they otherwise wouldn’t have to. Of course, with more people on the road, more accidents are bound to happen. According to the NHTSA, there were 1.16 deaths per 100 million miles driven in 2012, an increase from 1.10 in 2011.

Auto accidents resulting in deaths are still way down. 43,510 people died in traffic accidents in 2005 while only 34,080 died in 2012, a 26% decrease. In 2011, 32,367 victims died in road accidents, the lowest in 60 years.

Accidents happen. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car or motorcycle accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today at (800) 333-0000 for a free consultation.

The fatal incident occurred around 10:20 a.m. Wednesday morning. The victim was driving her Chevy Silverado southbound on Interstate 15 when the driver of an older, white BMW pulled in front of her. Basquez pulled her vehicle hard to the left to avoid a collision with the BMW. She then lost control of her Silverado, sideswiped a Dodge Ram, and drove through a guardrail. Her vehicle overturned and came to rest in a wash below the freeway.

Basquez was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Dodge Ram, Clayton Patrick of Fontana, was uninjured. A fourth vehicle sustained damage from crash debris, but the driver was also uninjured. The driver who caused the chain reaction crash sped off south on I-15. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information about the 1990s White BMW should contact Riverside authorities.

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The victim has been identified as Sharina Thomason of Temecula and Escondido. The pickup driver has been identified as Travis Hughes Braswell. Braswell was arrested on charges of suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run. Authorities allege that Braswell left the scene of the accident before he was located and detained.

** ORIGINAL POST **

A 27-year-old woman was killed in a three-car crash in Temecula on Monday, May 6th after a pickup truck ran a red light and decimated her car. The collision occurred at the intersection of Rancho California Road and Town Center around 2:50 p.m.

The Escondido woman was pulling out of the nearby shopping center in a Pontiac sedan to make a left turn on Rancho California when a 66-year-old Menifee man in a pickup truck ran a red light and broadsided the Pontiac. The truck spun out of control, striking a Saturn sedan driven by a Corona woman, and stopped in the turn lane.

Firefighters had to cut the 27-year-old woman from what remained of the Pontiac. She was taken to Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, but died from her injuries at the hospital. The driver of the Saturn was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the pickup truck was also taken to a hospital with minor injuries, where he was being detained. Authorities are investigating if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

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The cause of the limousine fire is still under investigation. Witnesses have stated that smoke started bellowing from the rear of the vehicle before erupting in flames. About one-third of the back half of limo were decimated in the fire. The bumper and taillights were missing and the stretch limousine was resting on its rims. The rest of the vehicle did not appear to sustain significant damage.

The limousine was operated by Limo Stop, who has not commented on the incident. The driver of the limo was identified as Orville Brown of San Jose. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of this tragedy. The San Mateo Coroners office is conducting autopsies on the victims.

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Reed and Barton issues recall for utensils due to ingestion and choking hazards

About 4,000 Gingham Bunny Forks and Spoons for Babies were recalled after Reed and Barton received a report of the pink coloring on the bunny’s ears detaching from the utensils. The recalled spoons and forks were manufactured in China. See the recall.

Children’s Apparel Network issues recall for clothing sets due to entrapment hazard

About 9,200 Girl’s Three-Piece Clothing Sets were recalled by Children’s Apparel Network after discovery that the clothing sets violate the CPSC guidelines for drawstrings in children’s outerwear. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recalled clothing was made in China. See the recall.

West Elm issues recall for floor lamps due to shocking and injury hazards

About 900 Industrial Overarching Floor Lamps were recalled after West Elm received 24 reports of the lamp failing. 10 reports were of the lamps collapsing and three reports were of the cord sparking. The recalled floor lamps were made in China. See the recall.

Target issues recall for lasagna pan due to laceration hazard

About 148,700 Giada De Laurentiis Ceramic 9×13 Inch Lasagna Pans were recalled after Target received 39 reports of the pan or its handles breaking while in use. Six incidents of minor slashing wounds were reported. The recalled lasagna pans were manufactured in China. See the recall.

Currey & Company recalls chandeliers due to shocking hazard

About 2,200 Chandeliers (10 different models) were recalled by Currey & Company after the company discovered that defective wiring can conduct electricity through the metal portions of the chandeliers. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recalled chandeliers were manufactured in China. See the recall.

The Land of Nod issues recall for plus dollies due to choking hazard

About 2,500 Dollies were recalled after The Land of Nod received a report of a doll’s hand detaching and three other doll hands becoming loose. The recalled dollies were manufactured in India. See the recall.

3T Design recalls bicycles due to injury risk

About 676 Cervélo Bicycles with Aura Pro Handlebars were recalled by 3T Design after a report of a rider’s handlebar clamps detached while in use, causing minor injuries. The recalled bicycles and handlebars were made in China. See the recall.

LEM Products Distribution issues recall for food dehydrators due to fire hazard

About 14,700 5-Tray Dehydrators with Digital Timers were recalled after LEM Products Distribution received two reports of fans failing in the product. The lack of a working fan led the product to overheat and result in fires. The recalled food dehydrators were manufactured in China. See the recall.

Hillerich & Bradsby recalls softball bats due to injury hazard

About 13,000 Louisville Slugger OneX Fastpitch Softball Bats were recalled after Hillerich & Bradsby received 170 reports of the bat’s barrel separating from the handle while in use. At least one injury was recorded when the bat’s barrel hit a player in the shin. The recalled softball bats were manufactured in China. See the recall.