UPDATE: Arrest Made In Deadly I-15 Temecula Crash

TEMECULA, CA — A motorist was killed and another person suffered moderate injuries early Thursday afternoon in a fiery crash involving a big rig, Toyota Prius, and a box truck on southbound Interstate 15 in Temecula.

The fatal wreck prompted a SigAlert that remained in place through the evening on I-15 south.

The crash occurred in the #4 lane around 12:30 p.m., between Rancho California Road and the Overland Drive overcrossing, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

Kevin May, a 47-year-old Fontana resident driving a Hino bobtail box truck at an unknown speed, failed to see stopped traffic ahead and slammed into a Toyota Prius, Lassig said. The two vehicles burst into flames as the Prius was pinned between the Hino and a big rig that had also stopped for traffic.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department along with Murrieta Fire & Rescue crews quickly extinguished the flames and found the Prius driver dead in the wreckage, Lassig said. The only information released by the coroner's bureau about the driver was that he was a Murrieta man. His name and age are expected to be publicly released.

May, who was hauling furniture, is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, Lassig said. He was hospitalized with moderate injuries at Inland Valley Medical Center, and has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the officer continued.

The 47-year-old Bloomington woman driving the big rig was uninjured.

There were no passengers in any of the vehicles.

The crash remains under investigation.

Crews began to open freeway lanes Thursday evening, but by 8:20 p.m. the freeway remained partially blocked and traffic was still backed up.

Traffic on the northbound side of the freeway remained jammed although no lane closures were in place.

Lassig reminded motorists about the dangers of driving impaired.

"Whether it’s alcohol, marijuana, hard drugs or prescription medication, any of these substances can have fatal results when operating a motor vehicle," he said. "Please drive responsibly."

—By Toni McAllister, Patch