Crime & Safety

CHP: Alcohol a Factor in Early Morning San Dimas Crash

The crash happened this morning on the 57 Freeway. The driver, suspected of being under the influence, suffered serious injuries.

A Pomona man is under arrest today on suspicion of driving under the influence after authorities said he plowed the pickup truck he was driving into a big rig parked on the 57 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash happened at 3:25 a.m., California Highway Patrol officers said Jonathan Chafino, 23, was northbound on the 57 just north of Via Verde Avenue in San Dimas when his 1989 Nissan pickup veered onto the right shoulder, striking a commercial tractor semi-trailer combination, driven by 43-year-old Gary Murray of San Bernardino. The rig had been parked on the freeway’s right shoulder.

The impact caused the left saddle fuel tank to rupture, spilling 50 gallons of diesel fuel onto the right shoulder and into the dirt, CHP officials said.

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Chafino's truck overturned and came to rest in the No. 3, or slow, lane in front of 23-year-old Nicole Trinidad, who had been near Chafino when he lost control. She was unable to avoid the truck and her BMW struck Chafino's vehicle pushing it into the No. 4 lane, officials said.

Trinidad's vehicle came to rest in the fast lane but she was able to move it to the shoulder, CHP officials said.

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Trinidad was not seriously injured, but Chafino suffered major injuries and was taken to County USC Medical Center, officials said. Alcohol is a factor in the crash, officers said.

Los Angeles County Fire crews helped clean up the fuel spill temporarily forcing the closure of the freeway's slow lanes, officials said.


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