Firefighters Use 'Jaws Of Life' In Winchester Head-On Crash

WINCHESTER, CA — A van and big rig collided Monday at a Winchester intersection, leaving a motorist seriously injured and stuck in the wreckage, requiring rescue just north of Domenigoni Parkway, officials say.

A portion of the roadway has been closed following the crash.

Shortly before 11 a.m. at Winchester Road and Olive Avenue, a semi and a van impacted head-on at the location, though no other details were immediately available, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Riverside County Fire Department crews arrived minutes later and discovered the van driver with life-threatening injuries, unable to get out of the wreckage.

Firefighters performed a cut-and-rescue operation, extricating the victim from the van shortly after 11 a.m., according to the fire department. There were no passengers in the vehicle.

The motorist, whose identity was not disclosed, was taken to a regional trauma center by ambulance.

The trucker was not hurt in the crash.

CHP officers shut down the entire intersection while the wreckage was cleared and a preliminary investigation was conducted.

The closure was expected to be lifted by 1 p.m.