At 5:40 pm on Tuesday, multiple calls went into 911 dispatchers reporting that a vehicle crashed had occurred on Highway 18 below Upper Waterman Canyon Road in the San Bernardino Mountains. Initial reports indicated that the Jeep may have been involved with a collision with another vehicle, sending it into a guard rail, causing it to roll multiple times before crashing over the side of the highway. Bystanders at the scene reported that the transmission and axles were torn off during the initial collision and were left on the roadway before the vehicle and it’s occupants went over the side.
According to scanner logs, the witnesses stated it was a grey or silver SUV with 3 patients inside. An off duty fire fighter confirmed that one female patient had succumbed to her injuries sustained during the collision. Radio traffic also indicated that two male vehicle occupants were suffering from moderate injuries.
Originally medics on scene requested air rescue assistance but was the helicopter was later cancelled. Both male patients were assisted in hiking out and transported by ground ambulance to a local area hospital.
The vehicle came to rest in heavy brush and trees on a steep cliff side. Crews on scene used chainsaws to gain access to the vehicle. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department office of the Coroner was requested to the scene just before sunset.
Emergency vehicles were stationed on Old Waterman Canyon Road below as well as on Highway 18 above the crash site. Old Waterman Canyon Road was closed in both directions, while Highway 18 had the number two upbound lane blocked while emergency crews worked at the scene.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the San Bernardino Police Department. Both CHP and the SBPD were on scene along with San Bernardino County Fire, U.S. Forest Service Fire and other first responders.
We will update this story when there is an official press release from the investigating agencies available.
Sad. Spoke with the grandmother of the deceased today standing in line at the grocery store. She was crying. I spoke consoling words. I do not know the grandmother of the young girl.