This article brought to you by Kaila Brooks, Realtor and Mountains Community Hospital
By Scott Limpus
At 12:21 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, a traffic accident with unknown injuries was reported on State Route 18, just west of Pali Mountain between Running Springs and Sky Forest. A passerby flagged down a nearby California Highway Patrol (CHP) unit who arrived on-scene just a couple minutes after the accident occurred. The officer found a single vehicle accident involving a copper-colored sport utility vehicle that had rolled over onto its roof, blocking the westbound (down-bound) lane. The lone occupant was out of the vehicle and appeared uninjured.
The vehicle was in a blind curve, so after evaluating the driver for injuries, the officer pushed the SUV on to the right shoulder of the highway as much as he could, to prevent an additional accident. A second CHP unit arrived to assist with the accident scene.
According to evidence at the scene, and statements made by the driver, the vehicle was traveling west on highway 18 just past Pali Mountain, and for an unknown reason, she failed to negotiate the right-hand curve. The vehicle crossed over into the opposing lane, losing control as she attempted to return her lane, and struck the mountain, causing the vehicle to roll over. CHP administered a field sobriety test and based on the results, placed the driver in custody for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The highway remained opened and the wreckage was cleared by 1:10 pm. CHP is investigating the cause of the accident.
