Traffic Collision Claims Life of Man on Highway 18

At approximately 4:03 p.m. on Thursday, May 30th multiple calls went into 911 dispatchers reporting a solo vehicle accident into a tree and possibly catching fire on Highway 18 at the entrance to Snow Valley Ski Resort.

The California Highway Patrol arrived on scene to find no fire and a solo vehicle accident with major damage and the driver suffering from major injuries. Arriving Medics from Station 50 in Running Springs along with Arrowbear Fire Department Engine 271 and Rescue 271, and multiple engines from San Bernardino County Fire as well as the US Forest Service Fire worked to extricate the patient. An Air Rescue helicopter was called to transport patient but the transporting by air later got cancelled. He was transported to Bear Valley Hospital by ground ambulance. At the hospital, it was determined that he had passed away from injuries sustained in the accident.

The victim was driving a black Ford Fiesta. According to CHP scanner traffic, the vehicle was allegedly traveling at high speeds along with another black sedan when, for unknown reasons, lost control and collided with the tree.

Don’s Garage from Running Springs recovered the vehicle. The cause of the crash is under investigation at this time but it appears speed may have been a factor.