1 Dead In Crash That Sparked Brush Fire, Gilman Springs Closure

5/5/21 UPDATE AT 8:16 P.M.:

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A solo-vehicle crash Wednesday on Gilman Springs Road in Lakeview left one woman dead and triggered a nearly 100-acre brush fire.

The crash was reported at 2:56 p.m. just south of Alessandro Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

A Toyota Avalon driven by a woman veered off the road for unknown reasons and crashed into nearby concrete pipes, according to the sheriff's department. The impact caused the Toyota to burst into flames, which spread to nearby vegetation.

Deputies and good Samaritans pulled the woman from the fiery wreckage. Despite life-saving efforts, she died at the scene.

The woman was the only occupant in the vehicle. Her identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Preliminary reports from the CHP indicated the crash involved a big rig, but the sheriff's department later said it was a solo-vehicle incident.

Flames from the crash jumped to roadside vegetation and then extended into a field, pushed by light to moderate winds, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Multiple county engine and hand crews were sent to battle the brusher, along with two Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter from Hemet-Ryan Airport, a few miles to the south.

The aircraft initiated a series of runs that blunted the fire's progress. By 5:30 p.m., the forward rate of spread was stopped at 100 acres, and the brusher was about 10 percent contained, officials said.

No structures were damaged.

CHP officers shut down Gilman Springs between Alessandro Boulevard, east of Moreno Valley, and Bridge to the south, for public safety. The closure was not expected to be lifted until after 8 p.m.

Traffic was being turned around at the closure points, the CHP said.

—City News Service contributed to this report.

ORIGINAL POST:

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A crash Wednesday afternoon on Gilman Springs Road near Alessandro Boulevard in Lakeview has sparked a brush fire and prompted a road closure.

The crash was reported at 2:54 p.m. Initial reports into the California Highway Patrol indicate the crash involved a big rig and a vehicle.

A hard closure has been requested for Gilman Springs Road.