3 RivCo Deputies Injured In Crash Triggered By DUI Driver: CHP

RIVERSIDE, CA — Three deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department were hospitalized after the unmarked minivan they were in was hit by a suspected drugged driver, the California Highway Patrol announced Friday.

The crash was reported just before 9:30 a.m. Thursday on La Sierra Avenue at Victoria Avenue in Riverside.

A 28-year-old Riverside man behind the wheel of a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado was heading west on Victoria Avenue nearing La Sierra Avenue at a "high rate of speed" when he ran a red light at the intersection, the CHP reported.

The Chevy plowed into a 2016 Toyota Sienna occupied by the three deputies who were heading south on La Sierra Avenue at the Victoria intersection on a solid green light, according to the CHP.

The Chevy driver and the three deputies were injured in the wreck and sent to a local hospital for treatment. The CHP described injuries as "major to minor." Medical updates were unavailable Friday.

The Chevy driver was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the crash and was arrested on felony charges, the CHP reported.

The CHP did not release any identities of those involved in the crash.

It's not clear whether the minivan carrying the deputies was a Riverside County Sheriff's Department vehicle, and it was not disclosed whether the law enforcement officials were on duty.

The CHP is investigating the wreck. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the CHP, Accident Investigation Unit at 951-637-8000.