Several Injured in Freeway Pileup

Seven people were injured -- one critically -- in a six-vehicle pileup on Interstate 15 today.

The crash was reported about 7:50 on the southbound freeway near the Winchester Road exit, according to Melody Hendrickson of the Riverside County Fire Department.

An RTA bus and a Food 4 Less truck crashed, flipping the truck on its side in the slow lane, crashing into another small truck, which also flipped, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The RTA bus, from CommuterLink express Route 208, which travels from Temecula to Riverside. The route is operated by RTA’s contracted service provider, Empire Transportation.

One of the victims was trapped, and firefighters had to cut and pry the person free with the jaws of life at 8:19 a.m.

The bus driver had his leg nearly severed and was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center, as was another motorist in a pickup truck who suffered facial cuts.

Seven people were rushed to a hospital. One was in critical condition, two were in "moderate" condition and four suffered minor injuries. Two injured people refused to be treated, according to Hendrickson.

All lanes were closed until 8:13 a.m., when lanes two and three were opened. Traffic was backed up to the Newprot Road exit in Menifee, according to witnesses.

The bus was taken into evidence by the CHP, footage was taken and an investigation into the cause was underway this afternoon.