Rollover traffic collision forces closure of Railroad Canyon Road for several hours

Rollover traffic collision forces closure of Railroad Canyon Road for several hours

Driving under the influence of a controlled substance suspected

Written by Trevor Montgomery

For hemeteyenews.com

Lake Elsinore, Calif., On September 28, 2015, at approximately 2:50 a.m., deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's Lake Elsinore station responded to the report of a rollover traffic collision. Several 911 callers had called to report that a single vehicle traffic collision had occurred on Railroad Canyon Road east of Grape Street, within the Lake Elsinore city limits. 

Callers advised the vehicle involved in the collision, which had been travelling westbound on Railroad Canyon Road had left the roadway, striking a light pole. At some point in the crash, the vehicle flipped over coming to rest on it's roof in the eastbound side shoulder, on the opposite side of the street.

Upon arrival, deputies found the vehicle, a Pontiac Grand Prix, lying upside down on its roof on the right side shoulder of the eastbound lanes of Railroad Canyon Road. Because of the scope and nature of the accident and for the safety of the emergency crews that would be required on scene, deputies conducted a complete closure of all lanes of traffic on Railroad Canyon Road between Grape Street and Church Street. Railroad Canyon Road remained closed for several hours while the accident scene was cleaned up and the heavily damaged vehicle was removed from the location.

The driver of the Pontiac Grand Prix, an unidentified male and resident of Temecula, was suffering from minor injuries as a result of the collision. After receiving medical treatment on scene from emergency medical personal, the driver was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries. 

In a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Sgt. Jack Casanas wrote, "The investigation revealed the Pontiac Grand Prix was traveling west on Railroad Canyon Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a light pole. The investigation also revealed the driver was possibly driving under the influence of a controlled substance." Toxicology reports will be needed to determine driver's level of intoxication.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the Riverside County Sheriff's dispatch at (951) 776-1099 or the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number L152710006

Contact the writer: trevor.hemeteyenews@gmail.com