Details Released In Crash That Likely Sparked Manzanita Fire Near Beaumont [Photos, Video]

BEAUMONT, CA – A woman who crashed a car in Lambs Canyon, unintentionally starting a massive brush fire that swept through the area on Monday, believes she may have gotten a flat tire just prior to the fiery wreck, Patch has learned. The woman, identified as an 86-year-old from Hemet, was driving with a 60-year-old man from Indio in her car when the crash happened, the CHP says.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Darren Meyer, the crash was reported at 3:05 p.m. on the southbound side of State Route 79 in Lambs Canyon.

The woman was driving a 2001 white Lexus, just past the road to the county landfill, when the crash happened, Meyer said.

"She lost control of her car; she believes she might have had a flat tire," he said. "The car left the roadway and went down an embankment, and some bushes caught fire."

Meyer deferred to Cal Fire to determine the cause of the now 5,800-acre Manzanita Fire. However, on Monday the Riverside County Fire Department said "[t]he cause of the fire was determined to be the result of a traffic collision with fire."

Both the woman and the man escaped with non-life-threatening injuries, though they did complain of minor pain, according to Meyer. They had already exited the vehicle by the time authorities got to the scene.

No alcohol or drugs is believed to have played a role in the wreck. The CHP is continuing to investigate the crash, while the fire department handles the fire investigation.

READ MORE: #ManzanitaFire Day 2: Uncontrolled Blaze Burns Through 5,800 Acres; 1,300 Firefighters Assigned; Fire Camp In Beaumont

--

Patch photos by Renee Schiavone