A 24-year-old trucker who died when his big rig overturned and struck a sedan in San Jacinto likely lost control of the semi at a bend in the road, authorities said Friday.
Diego Correa of San Jacinto was fatally injured about 9:50 a.m. Thursday on Soboba Road, 2 1/2 miles east of Gilman Springs Road, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
The California Highway Patrol said that Correa was within his lane when he encountered a curve in the roadway.
“It appears that he was not able to negotiate that turn,” Officer Teodora Blanco told City News Service. “That’s when the tractor-trailer overturned.”
The semi struck a Toyota Camry going in the opposite direction as it went over, according to Blanco.
Riverside County Fire Department crews arrived within minutes and pronounced Correa dead at the scene.
Firefighters initiated an extrication operation to rescue the occupants of the smaller vehicle, one of whom suffered moderate injuries, and the other minor injuries, according to the fire department.
They were taken to a regional trauma center for treatment.
“No alcohol or drugs are suspected in the crash,” Blanco said.
Both sides of Soboba were blocked at the location by the overturned rig, which was put back on its wheels two hours later and towed away.
The investigation is ongoing.