Head-on crash kills local man
By: JOHN HALL - Staff Writer | ∞
A Chevrolet pickup was severely damaged and the driver killed Tuesday in a head-on collision with a sport utility vehicle on Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Murrieta.
DAVID CARLSON Staff Photographer
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MURRIETA ---- A Murrieta man died Tuesday when his pickup veered into oncoming traffic, slamming into a sport utility vehicle on Murrieta Hot Springs Road, injuring a woman and her three children, police said.
What caused the 9:20 a.m. crash is still being investigated.
"There's just no explanation right now as to why he crossed the center median," Murrieta police Officer Jay Froboese said. "There were no skid marks or any sign of braking before the impact."
Witnesses told police that the 1992 Chevrolet fullsize pickup was eastbound on Murrieta Hot Springs Road at an estimated 50 mph when it "very suddenly veered into traffic at about a 45-degree angle," Froboese said.
The pickup collided head-on with a westbound Toyota Sequoia SUV between Winchester Road and Calle Del Lago.
Combining the forward speeds of both vehicles when they collided, Froboese estimates the impact speed at between 80 and 100 mph.
The fronts of both vehicles were crushed, with the most severe impact occurring to the pickup. The engine was pushed into the passenger compartment.
Trent Allen Birchard, 24, died behind the wheel of the pickup, authorities said. He was not wearing a seat belt and the 1992 truck is not equipped with an air bag, Froboese said.
The driver of the SUV, Jennifer Lynn Sims, 25, of Winchester, was pinned in her vehicle and it took rescue personnel 50 minutes to get her out, Froboese said. Firefighters had to cut the top and doors off the Toyota so they could get to Sims and three children inside.
"The crash happened so quickly that (Sims) never even had a chance to stop or try to get out of the way," Froboese said. He added that there were no signs of tire skids or any evasive maneuvers made by either vehicles before impact.
Sims was wearing a seat belt and the front and side curtain air bags deployed inside the SUV, police said.
Officers closed a section of Murrieta Hot Springs Road so a medical helicopter could land and take Sims to Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley. Both of her legs were broken and she may have a broken pelvis, Froboese said.
"She was conscious when (officers and firefighters) got there, but unconscious by the time they could get her out and onto the helicopter," he said.
She regained consciousness after reaching the hospital, Froboese said Tuesday evening.
The woman's 2-year-old son, Joey, was hospitalized locally before being taken by helicopter to a hospital in Orange County for further treatment, Froboese said.
Sims' 1-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, and oldest son, Shane Sukol, 6, were also hospitalized.
The two youngest children were in car seats at the time of the crash and Shane was wearing a seat belt, police said.
Not long after the crash, Birchard's parents and a number of his friends arrived at the scene, police said. Officers learned that Birchard worked in construction doing tile work and was on his way to a friend's house for a tile job, Froboese said.
The crash and its subsequent investigation led to the closure of Murrieta Hot Springs Road in both directions until about 2 p.m.
Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the crash contact Officer Frank LaVigne at (951) 461-6301.
This is the fifth fatal crash in Murrieta this year, Froboese said. Before this year, the city averaged one fatality every 12 to 15 months over the last six years, he said.
"The increase really isn't unexpected with the tremendous growth of population and traffic we've seen," he said.
Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.
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Jim wrote on Dec 28, 2005 9:37 AM:The story breaks my heart. So young to die. He does leave a legacy, a message to all young adults... wear your seat belts!
Jackie wrote on Dec 28, 2005 11:18 AM:Trent was a great guy. A tragic end to a wonderful spriit. My heartfelt prayers go out to his family and friends.
Karen wrote on Dec 28, 2005 12:38 PM:Trent had such a great heart! He will be sadly missed by my whole family. This is such a tragedy and my prayers are with his whole family. We love you Trent!
Shelly wrote on Dec 28, 2005 1:42 PM:Trent bug...Excuse you dude! I love you and we will miss you. You were a true friend and I will remember all the good times. P.S. I saw your sun and I will tell Mel! I love you.
Tom wrote on Dec 28, 2005 3:38 PM:Truly heartbreaking, people need to see these photo's and stories to be more aware that we drive killing machines, and in a blink of an eye it can be game over! My condolences to all left behind to wonder....just why?
Connie wrote on Dec 29, 2005 4:39 AM:Why this senseless accident happened we might never know. My heart goes out to the Birchard family espicially to his brother Casey who was in New York at the time. My prayers are with the Sims family too. It will be a long painful recovery for Jennifer Sims....how tragic for all concerned!
Whitney wrote on Dec 29, 2005 9:21 AM:I am so sorry for the Birchard Familys loss. You are all in my prayers! I Hope a good recovery to the Sims.
Mark & Pam wrote on Dec 29, 2005 11:16 AM:Trent was a great son, and brother, who will be greatly missed by everyone in his family, and by all of us who know the Birchard family. Our heart felt blessings, and prayers go out to all of them.
Pat wrote on Dec 29, 2005 4:35 PM:Sadness filled my heart when I saw the road blocked off for many hours. I knew that a fatality had to have occurred and a family would be receiving bad news. My prayers go out to Trent's family as well as the Sims and for all of us driving these busy streets.
Leslie wrote on Dec 29, 2005 9:17 PM:My heart is broken. Trent had a wonderful spirit, and was a true friend to my Son. I will never forget him. My prayers are with his family, and also the Sims family.
Tiffany wrote on Dec 30, 2005 6:46 PM:Trent always made an impact on anyone he came in contact with. We shared many good times which will never be forgotten. We all love you and know you are in a better place. R.I.P.
Toni wrote on Dec 31, 2005 1:48 PM:Was so sorry to hear about this tragic loss to the whole Birchard Family. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family. I feel your loss as i lost my 10 year old son 6 years ago to a tragic accident as well. My heartfelt prayers once again go out to family and friends.
Ashley wrote on Jan 6, 2006 10:24 AM:Trent, you will always be in my heart. I know you are in a much better place filled with greater love. My prayers are with your family. I know you can be with them again one day. Love you.
diana{aunrie} wrote on Jan 6, 2006 6:25 PM:my sweet newphew girlfriend new the family well and our hearts go out to the familily. My newphew Donny and girlfriend Katherine were so touched when they attended the vigil right after the accident. As a parent, our worst fear is losing a child. I and my fa,ily pray that God will comfort the family and give them a peace beyond human comprehension. God bless you. love, auntie Diana
Stefanie wrote on Jan 9, 2006 11:42 AM:Trenty... i have no words to explain how much this hurts us. For all the people who really know you, realize you were just getting happy with your life. Jennifer loves you more than anything and my promise to you is i will make sure that shes okay and shes happy. cause i know you would do the same. you treated me like and older bro and i will NEVER forget that .We will all love and miss you.
mama dukes wrote on Jan 12, 2006 8:08 PM:thank you for all your comments on this tragic death of my son. I know he was loved by alot of people and will be missed by many. A moment never goes by when I'm not thinking about my son. My thoughts and prayers to the sims family.
Shelly wrote on Jan 17, 2006 5:13 PM:To-Mama Dukes, I was so glad to see your comment on here, I think of you everyday and hope that each day gets a little easier. Trent was such a great guy and I know that for me personally he touched my life in so many ways and I will never forget him. He is in such a better place now and we can all seak comfort in knowing that. Thank you for putting him on this earth to be shared with all of us that knew him, he was such a great friend. Love you Mama Dukes! Shelly
Sarah wrote on Feb 1, 2006 3:18 AM:My Dear Trentie, There are no words that can ever begin to describe the loss we all felt the morning of that horrible day. The only comfort found in all this is that there are also no words that could ever perfectly celebrate you, your life, memory, and accomplishments. Only now, with weeks passed and reality finally setting in, is my family able to remember and speak about you not only without tears and sadness, but with a warm heart and smile as we recall some of the happy times that we were so blessed to share with you. I sleep well at night knowing that you have finally found the innerpeace you have been searching so hard for for so many years. You now know how much you were truly, truly loved. As much as you are deeply missed I smile because I know that you are walking around in Heaven with that extra strut in your step (STILL thinking you are indestructable). Until we meet again, hugs and kisses and kisses and hugs Trentie. Soon enough we'll be sipping champagne again bringing in the New Year. Love, M, G, N, S and Hobie
Kelsey wrote on Apr 26, 2006 9:36 AM:My Prayers And Tears Go Out to the birchard family, especially Casey. Im sorry for your loss. We'll always miss you trent.
unknown wrote on Oct 6, 2007 5:43 PM:I love you so much and I will always miss you. Your family has gone through so much and I feel horrible about that. You will always be in my heart. LOVE YOU LOTS
sorry girl wrote on Nov 4, 2007 5:44 PM:I'm so sorry for the Birchard family i cant believe what happened. at least now trent you are in a better place. if only he could of lived. im terribly sorry guys!
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