Motorist Arrested in I-10 Crash That Injured El Monte Residents

 A 30-year-old motorist was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causing injuring after the vehicle he was driving rear-ended another car on the Pomona (10) Freeway in Claremont today causing a three-vehicle crash that left four people with major injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Jonathan Sanchez, driving a 2011 Toyota Scion TC, failed to notice traffic slowing ahead and rear-ended a 2004 Cadillac CTS, driven by an 18-year-old El Monte woman, according to a department statement.

The Cadillac veered to the right across and struck the concrete sound wall. A passenger sitting in the back seat, an 18-year-old woman, was ejected from the car and landed on the shoulder of the westbound freeway, according to the statement.

The Toyota allegedly spun around, hit a Dodge Dart and struck a concrete center median wall.

Paramedics rushed the 18-year-old woman to Pomona Valley Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the Cadillac, an 18-year-old El Monte woman, suffered major injuries and was transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. A third occupant in the Cadillac, a 20 year-old El Monte man, also suffered major injuries and was transported to Arrowhead.

An occupant in the Toyota Scion, a 21-year-old Upland woman, was airlifted to an area hospital.

Sanchez, who suffered a dislocated hip, was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital.

- City News Service