Beer Litters Scene of Crash

Beer cans littered the scene of a head-on crash that left a Temecula man in critical condition today.

The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on Rancho California Road west of Temecula's city limits. To read details of the crash,

Numerous beer cans were among the wreckage, though whether alcohol was involved in the crash was unknown, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The car was headed west at Camino Seco when it drifted over the dividing lines and slammed into a semi-truck, said Chad Calonder, 41, the truck's passenger.

"We were only doing about 35 mph not even going that fast. All of a sudden, my buddy (the driver) goes, 'Look out,'" Calonder said as he stretched his arm out, "and, 'Hold on.'"

The van may have had a technical problem, said CHP Officer James Hackett.
"At this time, we are investigating whether the driver of the Toyota mini-van had a tire separation," he said.

The victim may have just returned from the store, explaining the beer, Hackett said. Clothing and snacks were also found in the wreckage.

The man was in critical condition two and a half hours after the crash, Hacket said.

The truck driver tried to avoid hitting the van, Calonder said. "We did everything that a professional driver could to avoid the accident, but we can't avoid everything."