Hemet, California – On Wednesday, 12/20/2023, at approximately 12:29 pm, Hemet Police Officers responded to a major injury traffic collision at the intersection of Tahquitz Avenue and Devonshire Avenue. Officers arrived on the scene and located a red Yamaha ATV and a white Ford Transit Van. Both vehicles had moderate collision damage. Two occupants/riders of the Yamaha ATV were located on the ground near the collision scene.
The Hemet Police Department’s Traffic Division responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed the rider and passenger of the Yamaha ATV were traveling southbound on Tahquitz Avenue and the driver of the Ford Transit Van was driving westbound on Devonshire Avenue. The Yamaha ATV failed to stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection and collided with the passenger side of the Ford Transit Van, causing the riders of the Yamaha ATV to be ejected. The rider and passenger of the Yamaha ATV were both transported by helicopter to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley, Ca. Both the rider and the passenger of the Yamaha ATV were listed in critical condition. The driver of the Ford Transit Van was uninjured, remained on scene, and cooperated with investigators.
The east and west lanes of Devonshire Avenue, between Gilbert Street and Palm Avenue were closed for approximately two hours as traffic investigators conducted their investigation.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Traffic Officer N. Reineke at nreineke@hemetca.gov or Corporal C. Nicot at cnicot@hemetca.gov or at 951-765-2400 and reference file number 2023-07815.