Head-On Beaumont Crash Injures 6, DUI Suspected

BEAUMONT, CA — A total of six people were hospitalized Saturday— two of them with critical injuries — in a head-on crash on a main Beaumont roadway, and police say the person responsible may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

It happened around 2:45 p.m. along Sixth Street at Beaumont Avenue and involved two vehicles, according to police and fire officials.

"Prior to the accident witnesses reported seeing the driver of a 4 door, white Lincoln, heading Westbound at a high rate of speed," Beaumont police said in a news release. "Upon reaching Beaumont Avenue the driver was reported to proceed through a red light and colliding with a passenger van, causing the van to overturn."

The red van flipped onto its side, briefly trapping some of the occupants, according to fire reports. Witnesses and officials at the scene said two of the injured were children.

After the driver of the Lincoln slammed into the van, he attempted to flee the scene, but he was held by bystanders until police arrived, according to witnesses and police. The car caught fire afterwards, but was quickly doused.

"The driver who was believed to be under the influence was also injured and transported to an area hospital," police said.

A portion of Sixth Street and Beaumont Avenue were both closed following the wreck while officials investigated. It was expected to remain closed until after 5 p.m.