By Scott Limpus
March 10, 2019
- Vehicle Over the Side
- CHP straps unit to truck to keep it from going further
- No Injuries reported
- Took two tow trucks to recover vehicle
- Icy road believed to be a factor
At 8:15 am on Sunday, a 9-1-1 call was placed by a witness reporting a single vehicle traffic collision with possible injuries involving a vehicle over-the-side.
Emergency crews responded to State Route 18 (Hilltop Blvd.) in Running Springs between Soutar Dr. and Running Springs School Rd.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP), Running Springs Fire Department (RSFD), and California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CalFIRE) arrived on-scene to find a red Chevy Avalanche approximately 10’ over the side with 2 of the 3 occupants out of the vehicle and uninjured. CHP, who arrived first, secured the unstable truck to his patrol vehicle with a tow strap to prevent it from sliding further down the embankment. RSFD attached an additional strap until a tow truck could arrive to recover the vehicle.
According to a statement made by the driver, he was traveling upbound (east) towards Big Bear on SR-18 when he slid on a patch of ice, causing him to leave the roadway, striking a fence, and sliding 10’ over the side of an embankment. Fearing the truck would slide more, the uninjured driver remained in the vehicle until CHP attached the first tow strap.
Two tow trucks were required to recover the truck, which only sustained minor damage. It was mostly cloudy and approximately 26 degrees at the time of the accident. Morning traffic was only temporarily affected as the tow trucks maneuvered into position.
CHP is investigating the cause of the accident, but ice on the highway is likely to be a contributing factor.