Beaumont Big-Rig Driver Blamed In Fatal Ramona Expressway Pileup

NUEVO, CA — A Beaumont big-rig driver who failed to notice traffic stopped ahead of him on the Ramona Expressway triggered a nine-vehicle crash that resulted in one death and several injuries, according to details released Tuesday by the California Highway Patrol.

Monday's crash was reported just after 4 p.m. in Nuevo. The CHP's preliminary investigation showed the 29-year-old big-rig driver was heading east on the Ramona Expressway and didn't see the stopped traffic. Unable to stop in time, he plowed into the rear of white Ford Focus, which sent the vehicle careening into the path of a black Honda Civic and dark blue Dodge Ram.

The Focus driver was killed in the wreckage.

The big-rig driver also rear-ended a white Ford Ranger, which then crashed into a flatbed trailer being towed by a red Ram 3500 pickup.

Before finally being able to stop, the big-rig driver smashed into a gray Toyota Tacoma and a Red GMC C-10, the latter of which was sent careening into a gray Honda CRV.

"Several parties involved and their passengers were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries ranging from minor to major," according to CHP Officer Juan Quintero.

There were no arrests announced.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call the California Highway Patrol, Accident
Investigation Unit at 951-637-8000. J. Tronti is the investigating officer.