I-15, 215 Flooding Causes Multiple Crashes Amid Thursday Storm

TEMECULA, CA — Rain-slickened roadways led to multiple crashes in both directions of the I-15 and I-215 Freeways through Southwest Riverside County. California Highway Patrol officers reported numerous rear-end collisions and spun-out vehicles blocking lanes and offramps, adding to the traffic mayhem.

At 7 a.m., a multi-car crash occurred at I-15 northbound, just north of Ontario Avenue. A green Jeep Wrangler and another car collided with four other vehicles, blocking all but one lane of the roadway. It took an hour for at least one lane to be reopened after emergency responders worked an injury crash.The extent of the injuries from this crash was not currently known.

Shortly before 8 a.m. in Temecula, a gray Toyota attempting to exit the northbound I-15 freeway blocked the offramp. At the same time, CHP reports that another crash slowed southbound traffic into the city just north of Winchester Road.

According to dispatch, a white pickup truck and a silver BMW collided in the southbound I-15 lanes and were facing traffic. That crash caused residual slowing past Los Almamos Road on the I-215 freeway, according to reports.

Also, on the southbound 215 Freeway, just north of Clinton Keith, a blue Honda struck a wall in what was believed to be an injury crack. Murrieta Fire Department was responding to the scene as of this report.

Just after 8:15 a.m., on the I-15 northbound at the Santa Ana River bridge, a white Acura spun out into the center divider, blocking the fast lane, according to CHP. Two other vehicles were involved in the crash.

"The white Acura hydroplaned and spun out, then collided with multiple cars," CHP dispatch operators said. The Acura ended in the center divider, and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department was called to the scene in what was reported as an injury collision.

At noon, a gray Tesla collided with a Mercedes Sprinter van, ending up in the center divider of the 15 Freeway in French Valley, CHP reported. An ambulance was called to the scene.

Shortly before 1 p.m., a purple Ford Mustang spun out, striking the center divider and blocking southbound lanes of the freeway, according to CHP reports. The car was facing the wrong way of traffic, and it was not known if anyone was injured in the crash. Tow trucks were called to the scene at the request of the involved party, CHP said.

The area remained under a flood watch through midday Friday as California Highway Patrol reminded drivers to watch their speed, look for signs of flooding, and "turn around, don't drown" driving through flooded streets.