Three people were sent to the hospital in stable condition Tuesday after a police pursuit of a suspect ended in a three-car collision on the 215 Freeway, police said.
The crash, which occurred about 1:30 p.m., closed the northbound lanes of the freeway north of McCall Boulevard for more than two hours, and motorists reported traffic backed up for miles. The No. 3 lane was finally opened about 3:30 p.m. Traffic was snarled both on the freeway and on access roads, where motorists couldn’t get on the freeway.
The incident began at 12:44 p.m., according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies from the Lake Elsinore station arrived in the area of Clinton Keith Road and Hidden Springs Road, just west of the 15 Freeway in Wildomar. They were responding to the report of an assault with a deadly weapon.
Deputies began checking the area and located the suspect vehicle traveling north on the 215 Freeway near Scott Road in Menifee. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect refused to stop and a pursuit began.
Just north of the McCall Boulevard exit, the suspect vehicle became disabled and collided with two other vehicles. The suspect was taken into custody with the assistance of the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. The suspect and the other two drivers were transported in stable condition. No other information about their conditions has been released.
The suspect, whose name was not released, will be booked on charges related to the assault with a deadly weapon and evading deputies. The California Highway Patrol responded to assist with the collision investigation. This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available.Â
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