At 1:08pm on Friday, a traffic accident with injuries was reported on State Route 18 near mile marker 9, just above lower Waterman Canyon Road. The reporting party stated that a vehicle hit a boulder and was possibly on fire. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and San Bernardino County Fire Department (SBCoFD) arrived on-scene to find a solo vehicle accident involving a dark-colored Ford Mustang on the right shoulder of the downbound lanes completely engulfed in flames. Medic Engine 227 extinguished the fire and discovered that the unidentified single occupant was deceased in the vehicle. The accident occurred in the City of San Bernardino and the CHP requested the San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD) to take over the incident.
There were no witnesses that came forward immediately after the accident so the details surrounding the cause are not known. Evidence at the scene would suggest that the Mustang was traveling downbound on the 18 past the landmark known as the 100 MPH straight away. As the vehicle approached the sweeping left curve, it appears that the driver, for unknown reasons, lost control of the vehicle and collided with a large boulder.
The highway remained opened except during brief periods for accident investigation. The coroner arrived on-scene at 3:30p to take custody of the body. ME227 was requested to return to the scene to assist with extrication. SBPD is investigating the accident and will make notifications to the next of kin. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact the SBPD with any information pertinent to the investigation.
Article and photos by Scott Limpus
We need more law enforcement on that road. Please