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Drowsy Driver Smashes Into U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint; Nine Cars Hit

At around 8:30 a.m., 20-year-old David Arriaga of Riverside plowed his 2002 green Chevy Suburban into nine cars parked at the U.S. Border Checkpoint.

A tired driver who fell asleep behind the wheel on the 15 Freeway is the reason traffic was so heavy coming into Temecula Monday morning, authorities are saying.

At around 8:30 a.m., 20-year-old David Arriaga of Riverside plowed his 2002 green Chevy Suburban into nine cars parked at the U.S. Border Checkpoint, just south of Temecula, according to CHP spokesman Officer Nathan Baer.

Arriaga allegedly dozed off while traveling northbound on the I-15 at a speed of approximately 65 mph. As a result, the Suburban drifted across the freeway and into Border Patrol Checkpoint, Baer explained. 

“The front of the Chevrolet then plowed into nine parked vehicles,” the officer said. “The damage to the parked vehicles ranged from minor to major. A Chevrolet Avalanche was knocked onto its side and a Mercedes was pushed all the way to the fence, which separates the Checkpoint from the CHP’s Rainbow Inspection Facility.”

The Suburban sustained major damage, Baer said.

Arriaga’s only passenger was seriously injured in the crash, Baer said. The passenger’s identity was not released by authorities.

“This collision was avoidable. If you feel tired and fatigued it is not worth it to push your limits. It’s not just your life that you are putting at risk, it is also the lives of others around you,” Baer said. “We are very fortunate that nobody was killed.”   

sam shepperd August 28, 2012 at 02:59 pm
I hope the police did a thorough drug test on the driver - not just the on-scene DUI test. Also, I am sick of the typical monster truck / SUM / Hummer driver who just throws caution to the wind because they know they will come out on top of any collision with anything smaller than a Mac truck. Numerous times I've almost been T-boned or driven off the road by some soccer-mom driving a SUV with a cell-phone plastered to her ear. Which brings up another thing. I hope the police closely inspect this driver's cell phone for signs he might have been texting when this accident happened.
sam shepperd August 28, 2012 at 03:04 pm
It's fortunate that no one in the cars plowed into was injured. Sounds like some nice cars were totaled though. For anyone who doesn't know, the Chevy Suburban, driven by the allegedly drowsy driver, is one of the largest, heaviest vehicles you can drive without a truck drivers license. This could well have been far worse. Kinda glad this driver got caught before he killed someone. Perhaps the injury of his passenger will go towards some kind of lesson for the driver. Perhaps that's what it took.
Diana August 28, 2012 at 03:08 pm
@Airborne: I am not new to the Patch and very aware of those that cruise through here with the sole purpose to instigate, still you can't fix stupid!
Kerry August 28, 2012 at 03:24 pm
I hope both of them are doing well and recover quickly! That's a very hard lesson to learn and hopefully if he gets tired while driving again, he'll know now to pull over. Thank goodness no one else was injured!
Bec August 28, 2012 at 05:00 pm
as the mother of a son, who was in a car accident, w/a driver who fell asleep, there is a reason they call it "a single car accident" because only 1 car was involved and that driver is at fault.......let the CHP and the parents do the investigation on the why, we should just do the praying and the teaching to our children that this not happen again......and as for the naysayers i know he "hit" numerous cars BUT he was but 1 car that caused the accident.
john August 28, 2012 at 05:15 pm
Chicken shits like that use these forums to air their ignorance. White trash like that never never never never never never preaches their crap in public unless they have a group of friends with them.I know because one of my neighbors is one of those and has made his feelings known to another white neighbor who isnt racist. Funny thing is he is the quietest one on the block its almost like hes not even there. To scared I guess hahaha.
KB August 28, 2012 at 06:48 pm
Oh boo hoo
I pray for the driver, bla bla bla This accident appears to have been caused by negligence at a minimum. Lock the driver up....
KB August 28, 2012 at 06:50 pm
No, not to air ignorance, just the truth neanderthal.
Adrian August 28, 2012 at 06:58 pm
@ everyone. The first two posts I made were in response to the asinine question regarding the driver's legal status. They were sarcastic. First, there is no legitimate reason to question the driver's status. Second, that doesn't matter. Someone was severly injured. Anyone who took my first comment seriously needs to realize that I am 180degrees away from that opinion.
Zachary August 28, 2012 at 10:21 pm
I believe that you are an unworthy contributer to this post. Those without compassion are those who should be rejected by society.....which I'm sure you don't have many friends, if any at all. I played baseball with David and his dad was my coach, so I know this accident was something very far from the norm. He is a great kid and would never do anything to harm anybody. You should be ashamed of yourself for posting like an ignorant fool instead of sending out some prayers and hoping for the best.
Timber August 28, 2012 at 10:24 pm
uh...Crashing is legal - usually just a civil matter. Sometimes it could be a criminal matter....
Lame troll question...immigration status is just an administrative matter.
Kristen August 28, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Well said Zachary! David is a family friend and we know the integrity they all have. You, a 21 year old, show more thoughtfulness, knowledge and compassion than some of these older people who have nothing better to do than to take advantage of those in pain. My husband and I, as well as David and Diane Arriaga, have raised our children to be upstanding adults and anyone questioning that....does not know our kids....so please, find something better to focus your stupidity on!
Kristen August 28, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Well said Zachary! David is a family friend and we know the integrity they all have. You, a 21 year old, show more thoughtfulness, knowledge and compassion than some of these older people who have nothing better to do than to take advantage of those in pain. My husband and I, as well as David and Diane Arriaga, have raised our children to be upstanding adults and anyone questioning that....does not know our kids....so please, find something better to focus your stupidity on!
V.W.D.S. August 29, 2012 at 11:45 am
hopefully its a lesson to ALOT of folks because as I mentioned, it catches you off guard and impairs your ability to even KNOW you are being dangerous. Being aware of what is happening and pulling off is the only thing you can do that is safe in a situation like that.
Pkmd August 29, 2012 at 03:30 pm
I would like to express my thoughts and prayers to the victims of this accident. I lost a family member in a horrible car accident that occurred when the driver of his car fell asleep. I can truly feel your pain. I hope and pray for a speedy recovery for both people involved.
Pkmd August 29, 2012 at 03:31 pm
A few days ago the patch reported on the unemployment rise in the Temecula Valley and unfortunately it seems that some of these people are fueling these comments with their anger. I just hope that these people never have to go through something like this and if they do they will understand how hurtful and unnecessary their comments are. I just hope the family of those involved knows that not all people are as hurtful as those with the awful comments. I wish the media, in this case the patch, would be responsible enough to remove such comments
Pkmd August 29, 2012 at 03:34 pm
Kristen, I am sorry for your family and I am TRULY sorry for the hurtful post by such thoughtless people. Please know that your family is in my thoughts and please to let the attacks from those who chose to show anger shadow of what's important and that is the healing for your family. God bless!
john August 29, 2012 at 05:13 pm
Hey kb u ignorant trailer park dwelling red neck racist pig ur sure r tough putting ur stupid ignorant comments here. Why dont u man up and go out in public and speak ur mind dont hide behind these forums u chicken shit grow a pair and go out and preach ur crap lets see how long u last.
Tommy Tow August 29, 2012 at 06:01 pm
I also pulled over to help when I saw the vehicle veer across the traffic lanes and drive straight into all those parked Border Patrol vehicles. This was not an accident, it was negligence. The driver was immediately out of the vehicle walking around and he said it several times that they had been in Mexico all night partying and that he was really tired. He was also saying that it wasn’t his vehicle and that he did not have any insurance. I’m sorry to say it, but the Arriaga’s did not raise great young man. He made a poor, negligent decision that very could have killed them both and maybe even someone else. The CHP on scene stated that the only thing that probably saved them both from death or catastrophic injury was the fact that they hit a ROW of PARKED CARS. If it had been a guard rail (K-rail) they would have ended up being pitched back into the traffic lanes and thus causing more injuries to the motoring public.
Tommy-Tow-Driver
Tommy Tow August 29, 2012 at 06:09 pm
Another thought; If it had been 30 seconds sooner he would have driven straight into the back of a semi-tractor trailer waiting for the scales. Then they surely would be dead. Oh, but I guess then D. Arriaga would then be blaming the CHP or Cal-trans for having the scales off ramp connected to the traffic lanes. And if it had been a couple of minutes sooner then they would have flown off of I-15 and landed 100 feet below on old Hwy-395. I can only guess who she would then blame. Last thing I heard the CHP Sergeant tell the other victims of this negligent act was that they automatically draw blood from the driver and have it tested for drugs and alcohol. Bottom line though, even if he had sobered up from his night of partying in Mexico he is still a fool and ruined a whole bunch of other people’s lives. I hope the Federal Government makes him (and or his family) pay for the damage he caused and if he truly didn’t have the insurance to cover it then I hope he spends some serious time in jail.
Tommy-Tow-Driver
GodGuy316 August 29, 2012 at 06:39 pm
I ain't gonna judge cuz I fell to sleep towin junk to the dump bout 30 years ago. Trooper just said pick all the crap up and get on outta here. Mexican or not this dude is in some trouble hope they don't lay it on to hard cuz he recked some cop cars
Avo August 29, 2012 at 08:05 pm
Why is mom blaming the Border Patrol? Her son fell asleep after being in Mexico all night! Integrity of the family? Sounds like she's looking to sue the deep pockets. Get well passenger. Rumble strip all up and down freeway. Did the CHP Dona field sobriety test? That's what she should be asking
Sam August 29, 2012 at 08:25 pm
Ah America, so much hate so little time.
MaryAnn August 29, 2012 at 08:57 pm
IDIOT! (Tommy Tow Driver) & B!!!!! (Anita Drink) if that's even really your name!!! Cause u have probably been "drinking" all day!!! I wasn't going to respond to such IGNORANT people but you just hit a nerve! #1 My nephew WAS NOT PARTYING ALL NIGHT (you MORON) they simply got up early in the morning to drop off his GF grandmother at the border. On their IMMEDIATE return is when the ACCIDENT happened! My nephew is taking full responsibility for falling asleep! He's 21 years old!!! Made a bad decision.. (yes he should have pulled off) I know that!! But I also have more experience. Now whatever this IDIOT tow truck driver HEARD.... Give me a BREAK if he had been partying ALL NIGHT like you said my nephew was saying.... Why didn't they arrest him?!!! YOU MORON!! Because he had NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS in his system!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!! He got up at 2am to take the girlfriends grandmother so she could catch her plane!!!! & as for the insurance you claim he said he had NONE!!!! WRONG AGAIN!!!! It was the girlfriends moms car and THEY BOTH carry insurance!!!!!! Get a LIFE!!!! YOU TWO are PATHETIC!!!!
Jessica August 29, 2012 at 09:09 pm
Wow, "Tommy Tow"! You have SOME NERVE to tell such a lie. I HIGHLY doubt that my BROTHER was up all night "partying it up" in Mexico considering the fact that he doesn't even have a passport...how do you suppose he would get back to the states! You truly are all such a disappointment to this country. To have the nerve to go back and forth on this article really shows how interesting your lives must be. I find it embarrassing for YOU that I should need to explain my brothers side of the story- and to test MY PARENTS parenting, you've got another thing coming mister. Do yourself a favor and remove your comment- because you really do look like a fool! and YES, he does have insurance. Maybe you were the one under the influence? The fact that you could go on such a rant based on lies behooves me! I pray for you and your act of negligence by posting such lies simply for your own entertainment. Lord, what is this world coming to? I would appreciate it if we put an end to the debate NOW and go on with your lives. Yes, I understand my brother is at fault, and for that, he is dealing with it, however, unless you or a family member was hurt by this- which they weren't considering it was only my brother and his passenger injured, then MOVE ON. I thank those who have been supportive on this blog. Your compassion and sincerity is truly heart warming.
All things beig said, I would appreciate it if this was the LAST post on this article. Thank you.
oralia August 31, 2012 at 02:42 pm
all blak color indios needa passaport to come back to amerca. silly
Fade67 August 31, 2012 at 02:55 pm
Huh?
REZ10 September 1, 2012 at 04:25 am
Blame the driver for his actions...no more difficult than that. But then gain, you want someone else to blame instead of accepting your son is at fault.
How very typical.
oralia September 3, 2012 at 05:35 pm
indios ar mexico slang for wet back mexicans nd if you be a dark skin indio than yo need passaport to get hom from the border
sam shepperd September 3, 2012 at 08:37 pm
Basically "indos" is the way (European) Americans refereed/refer to our own "Indians" - as in 'the only good _____ is a dead ...". Same (maybe even worse) attitude in Mexico. Very likely "indios" is the shortened form of "indigenos" - Spanish for the english "indigenous" meaning native-born and of the original culture and racial group as the inhabitants of a place for (usually) thousands of years. Racism doesn't stop at the border - any border.
Mexico has Cortez. U.S. has General Custer.

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Masterpiece Band at Cellarz93 Restaurant Winehouse
djschristensen3 June 9, 2013 at 09:35 am
Was that the grand finale ? Cellarz93 is closed now. So sad, a wonderful gem in the Valley.
LAKE ELSINORE RESIDENT May 28, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Watch this video, it's directly across the street from a large aggregate mining operation. thinkRead More crystalline silica. Aggregate trucks drive in front of this club constantly it's a haul road. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhckrqXX-L4
Brenda June 2, 2013 at 02:58 am
All comes down to getting the "GOLD" Balanced right in the big City Hall right? We areRead More broke we are broke! We have how many more million dollar residents, ranches, farms who pay taxes, how many more business's, triple, quadruple, on and on that pay taxes, and some very large business's at that for YEARS. Yet Murietta and Menifee with just the few they have can manage to not only put in side walks, AND ALSO ACTULLY Listen their residents, instead of call them names like Paul has been, concerns and respond to them. Hell we are just now getting some attention to our driving issues with running red lights, speeding, not stopping at stop signs, driving drunk, high, or wreeklessly causing deaths and serious injuries to walkers, bike riders, skate board, scooter riders, wheelchairs, motor bike riders, and other cars. But how many lives were lost or severly disabled until we just now the last 2 weeks have been giving traffic details for different areas, cell phone details, etc. Lucky to get some sidewalks finished in 10 years if someone doesnt figure out where our "Gold" is we all pay in. And stop calling names people at the City meetings to Paul or anyone else trying to get our City to do what its there for. By the time someone in your own family is killed they will be laughing at you for standing up asking for sidewalks right? Just like on the "Patch" comment areas, always calling names instead of sticking with your fellow Temeculites and getting us something DONE! Before we loose more lives