Driver Dies After Crashing Into Jackknifed Rig East Of Temecula

CAHUILLA, CA — A driver who was seriously injured last week after he collided with a jackknifed van that was towing a travel trailer on state Route 371, east of Temecula in unincorporated area, has died at a local hospital.

The 72-year-old Orange County man died at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs at approximately 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported around 9:42 p.m. July 18. The man, whose identity was not released, was driving southbound on SR-371 just north of Cahuilla Creek Bridge at 45-55 mph in a 2024 Toyota Camry, a preliminary CHP report revealed.

Up ahead was a jackknifed 2019 Ford Transit van pulling a 2003 Carso Fun Runner travel trailer, which was blocking SR-371 just north of the bridge.

The Toyota driver didn't see the stalled rig and smashed head-on into the trailer’s left rear corner, causing major damage to the sedan.

The Toyota driver was airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center in critical condition. His 66-year-old female passenger, who suffered minor injuries, was transported to Wildomar's Inland Valley Hospital via ground ambulance, according to the CHP.

No other injuries were reported.

At approximately 9:42 p.m., a 911 call was placed regarding the stranded rig, and at 9:57 p.m. another call came in about the crash, the CHP report stated.

Alcohol was not suspected to be a crash factor, according to the CHP.

The CHP Temecula Area office is investigating the incident.