Crime & Safety
Deadly Head-On Crash On Clinton Keith Leads To Day-Long Closure
UPDATED: The road was closed to traffic for approximately 13 hours Thursday near the scene of the fatal wreck.
UPDATE 10 p.m. — After more than 12 hours of a major closure in town, Murrieta police say Clinton Keith Road was reopened in both directions at 9:45 p.m.
UPDATE, 5:55 P.M.: Police say the road will remain closed until around 10 p.m. After several hours of an on-scene investigation, Murrieta police released the following statement:
Unfortunately today, someone lost their life. Although it may be an inconvenience, we hope that you slow down and are able to get to your destination safely.
There is a complete closure of Clinton Keith in both directions at the Cal Fire Station 75 west of Bear Creek Drive by Hazmat Crews. They are working hard to make the roadway safe after a gas tank ruptured and motor oil is all over the 2 lane roadway.
Your alternate route will be Rancho California Raod to De Luz Road which will take you to Tenaja Road.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, thank you to responding crews and Hazmat team.
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MURRIETA, CA — One person is dead and another injured Thursday following a crash on the Santa Rosa Plateau, officials report. The deadly wreck happened around 8:20 a.m. on Clinton Keith Road, near a local fire station, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Images from the scene show a large box truck collided head-on with an SUV along Clinton Keith, sending debris across the roadway. It appears the driver of a Toyota Rav 4, which was headed down the hill, slammed into a delivery-type truck, which was headed up the hill.
The CHP and Murrieta police have since closed down Clinton Keith Road in the area and traffic was backed up for quite a distance on both sides of the crash. Officials at the scene said the closure could last for a few hours.
The incident was initially being investigated by the California Highway Patrol, but Murrieta police have since taken over as it occurred within city limits.
"The Murrieta Police Department is assuming the investigation," Murrieta police said on Facebook. "Clinton Keith Road will be closed in both directions at the Cal Fire Station 75 west of Bear Creek Drive. Please use an alternate route to access the La Cresta area until further notice."
— Images via Joe Fanaselle
