Early Morning Crash Closes Southbound Highway 67

Foster-

On Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at 5:28 a.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received 911 calls reference a vehicle accident on Highway 67 north of Vigilante Rd. Two structural engines, one rescue company, two ALS medic units and a battalion chief were dispatched to the incident.

One of many vehicles heavily damaged in the incident.

On the arrival of Engine 2 (Eucalyptus Hills Station), they discovered an accident that included multiple vehicles with significant damage. One vehicle had flipped onto its roof while another had been catapulted onto the barrier wall. The crew started identifying injured occupants and assessing the need for extrication. On the arrival of Battalion 1 (Tockstein), command was established and additional equipment was requested.

Fire units were forced to park in the northbound lanes as southbound could not be accessed.

Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Engine 4 (Cottonwood-SanteeFD) arrived and assisted in the treatment of two patients that had moderate injuries. A third patient was identified but her injuries did not appear life threatening. Medic 4 (Santee Fire) and Medic 9 (El Cajon Fire) transported patients to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial. An AMR ambulance transported a third patient to Pomerado Hospital.

The accident resulted in an extended shutdown of the southbound lanes of Highway 67 while tow crews worked to clear lanes.

A total of 7 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident, assisted by 5 personnel fro the Santee Fire Department, and 2 from the El Cajon Fire Department.

The accident is currently being investigated by CHP.

Dispatched Lakeside units: B1 E2 R3. Santee units: E4 M4. El Cajon units: M9

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Photos By: Fire Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District