A man suspected of causing a series of injury collisions in Moreno Valley because he was driving while intoxicated and going the wrong way on an Inland Empire freeway was under medical supervision Monday for non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect, whose identity was not disclosed because he had not yet been formally booked into jail Monday, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence resulting in injuries about 2:30 a.m. Sunday at the Interstate 215/60 Freeway Interchange.
According to the California Highway Patrol, shortly after 2 a.m., the motorist was at the wheel of a Dodge Ram pickup that ended up headed north in the southbound lanes of I-215, south of Eucalyptus Avenue.
The wrongway driver continued almost two miles, impacting at least two vehicles as he entered the I-215/60 transition, ultimately causing a head-on crash with three other vehicles at the southbound 215 bridge to westbound 60, the CHP said.
“The driver of the Dodge fled the scene on foot and was ultimately located off the freeway (by Riverside County sheriff’s deputies),” Officer Javier Navarro said.
Three people were hurt in the other vehicles, suffering non-life-threatening minor to major injuries. They were taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, as was the suspect, for treatment.