INDIO, California – Harry Griffith, 53, of Redwood City, was killed and five others suffered minor to major injuries in a multiple-vehicle collision about 8 a.m. Friday morning on the eastbound Interstate 10 freeway west of Monroe Street exit overpass in this Riverside County city, according to a CAL FIRE/Riverside press release.
Two big rigs and five cars were involved in the crash. Griffith’s vehicle was rear-ended by one of the tractor trailer trucks. Riverside County Fire Hazardous Materials team and Environmental Health were both called to the scene to address a fuel spill resulting from the tragic car accident.
According to the press release, Griffith died at the scene of the car accident and the others were transported to Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs. Riverside County Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to rescue some of the victims. There were two victims with major injuries, two with moderate injuries and one with minor injuries, the report said. The crash was described as a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) due to the number of patients needing treatment.
The crash shut down the eastbound Interstate10 freeway and closed the Monroe Street exit while firefighters tended to victims and police later investigated the scene of the crash.
“Big rig truck drivers must exercise extra caution when driving on our roadways as their vehicles weight roughly 80,000 pounds compared to 4,000-pound cars,” said Attorney West Seegmiller. “Indeed they may be held liable in a rear-end collision for not leaving enough space in-between themselves and other vehicles.”
Police investigate every truck accident to determine who is at fault and other intervening circumstances such as other drivers, weather, road condition, alcohol and distractions such as cell phones or texting.
Personal injury law firms are advocates for victims of truck and car accidents. If you have lost a loved one in a traffic accident you may eventually need financial assistance, but more importantly you’ll want to make sure this never happens to anyone else.
The Seegmiller Law Firm can be reached at 1-855-ASK–WEST. For over 30 years, the firm has been a staunch advocate for victims’ rights and has fought for clients involved in personal injury and wrongful death cases, including premises liability, product liability, auto accidents, dog bites, nursing home negligence, medical malpractice, at-work injuries and more. The firm has offices in Irvine, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
