Tow Truck Driver Seriously Injured In SR-79 Crash

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The San Gorgonio Pass Area California Highway Patrol office has released more details about a crash Sunday morning on state Route 79 in unincorporated Riverside County that seriously injured a tow truck driver from Banning.

The incident began around 9:55 a.m. when the CHP received a call about a non-injury solo vehicle roll-over crash on SR-79, south of California Avenue. During the investigation, the CHP called a tow truck to remove the wreckage.

Statewide Towing responded to the scene. Around 10:38 a.m., the tow driver — 49-year-old Enrique Ramirez Sanchez of Banning — was standing on the left side of his truck when a speeding white Toyota Corolla driven by 29-year-old Marcella Carranza of Riverside lost control of her car on southbound SR-79 and collided with the concrete median wall, according to CHP Officer Matt Napier.

The crash impact propelled the Corolla across traffic lanes and onto the right shoulder, striking Sanchez and his tow truck. Sanchez sustained major injuries as a result and was transported to the Riverside University Health Systems Hospital by ground ambulance, according to Napier.

Both SR-79 southbound lanes were closed for approximately one hour and 45 minutes for the CHP investigation.

Alcohol and drugs have been ruled out as contributing factors, Napier said.