GLENDORA >> A two-vehicle crash that injured three people on the 210 Freeway in Glendora Saturday afternoon is blamed on a drunken driver, according to California Highway Patrol officials.
Daniel L. Runnestrand, 53, of Upland was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of alcohol following the 2:20 p.m. crash on the eastbound 210 Freeway, just east of Grand Avenue, California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said. He suffered injuries described as moderate in the collision.
He was driving a 2007 Ford F-250 pickup truck at a “high rate of speed” in the No. 3 lane just prior to the collision with a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass, the officer said.
“This collision occurred when Mr. Runnestrand changed lanes from the No. 3 lane to the No. 4 lane and collided with the rear end of the Oldsmobile Cutlass,” Jimenez said.
The pickup truck overturned, ending up on it’s roof in the No. 4 lane, he said. The Oldsmobile was spun around and pushed to the right shoulder.
The sedan was severely damaged in the crash, however the occupants were conscious and breathing when treated by firefighters, Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. P.J. Carter said.
Jimenez said the driver of the Oldsmobile, who had not been positively identified but was believed to be a Pomona resident in his 50s, suffered major injuries. They included internal injuries and a fractured leg.
His passenger, a 54-year-old Pomona woman, was hospitalized with injuries believed to be moderate.
Both the man and woman from the Oldsmobile were flown to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center by helicopter for treatment, officials said.
“Mr. Runnestrand was placed under arrest for suspicion of felony driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury and was transported to USC Medical Center via ambulance to be treated for his injuries,” Jimenez said.
Witnesses reported the pickup truck had been weaving in and out of traffic lanes just prior to the crash, according to CHP logs.
Officials issued Sig Alert for the two right lanes of the eastbound 210 Freeway that remained in effect for nearly two hours.
Coincidentally, CHP’s Southern Division fielded 20 extra officers late Saturday into early Sunday to hunt for intoxicated drivers in a DUI saturation patrol, officials said.
The collision was being investigated by officers from the Baldwin Park office of the CHP.