A fire sparked by a crash between a big rig and car just north of San Jacinto that left one person dead and another injured has burned 100 acres and was 10% contained Thursday morning.
The crash was reported at 2:55 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Bridge Street and Gilman Springs Road, near Mystic Lake, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP officials said the tractor trailer and car impacted in northbound lanes, but no other details were available.
The driver of the car, whose identity was not immediately released, was pulled from the wreckage in grave condition. Despite life-saving measures, the victim died at the scene.
The trucker suffered minor injuries and was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment.
A fire erupted immediately after the collision, jumping to roadside vegetation and then extending into a field, pushed by light to moderate winds, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Multiple county engine and hand crews were sent to battle the brusher, along with two Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter from Hemet-Ryan Airport, a few miles to the south.
The aircraft initiated a series of runs that blunted the fire’s progress. By 5:30 p.m., the fire’s spread was stopped, officials said.
No structures were damaged.