I-15 Wrong-Way Driver Slams Into Big Rig In Temecula Valley

WILDOMAR, CA — A wrong-way driver crashed in the Temecula Valley area Wednesday night, slamming head-on into a big rig driver. The man then allegedly took off running, but law enforcement officers caught him after a short struggle, the California Highway Patrol said.

Drugs or alcohol may have played a role in the collision, officials at the scene said.

It all started around 10 p.m. when the driver, who has not been identified, entered the northbound side of Interstate 15 at Railroad Canyon Road, according to CHP Sgt. Nathan Baer. The man proceeded to drive southbound in the slow lane of the northbound side in a Hyundai sedan.

"The tractor-trailer driver saw the vehicle approaching so he was able to slow down a little bit, but was unable to avoid a collision when the Hyundai driver crashed directly into the front of the big rig," Baer said.

The driver then took off running from the crash site across the northbound lanes, according to Baer.

"He did come back for a minute, I think he was talked into coming back — and then when he was contacted by CHP personnel he then fled on foot again crossing the southbound lanes of the 15 freeway," Baer said. "CHP was able to chase him on foot and subdue him. After a brief struggle he was taken into custody."

The Hyundai driver was taken to the hospital with cuts he got in the wreck, according to Baer. The FedEx driver declined medical treatment and appeared to be uninjured.

A paramedic who had witnessed the wreck and briefly struggled with the Hyundai driver to stop him from running away was also transported to the hospital, according to reports from the scene.

The freeway was partially blocked for more than two hours following the incident.

— All images via Joe Fanaselle