The streets outside of Murrieta received a thorough soaking Saturday after a driver crashed into a fire hydrant, sending a geyser of water roughly 80 feet into the night sky.
The streets outside of Murrieta received a thorough soaking Saturday after a driver crashed into a fire hydrant, sending a geyser of water roughly 80 feet into the night sky. (Joe Fanaselle/SWRNN)
According to California Highway Patrol officer Brian Keene, a man driving a white 2005 Ford 150 was traveling southbound on Pourroy Road when he failed to see the stop sign at Murrieta Hot Springs Road.
At about 8:10 p.m., the driver, a 49-year-old Winchester man, barreled through the intersection and crashed through a chain link fence that bordered the Roripaugh construction site, Keene said.
The motorist called 911 to report the accident while simultaneously attempting to back himself out of the crash scene.
In doing so, he sheared the hydrant, sending up a column of water that drenched the area for nearly two hours before water department officials arrived to the scene.
Despite fire crews’ efforts to locate a shut-off valve, the water continued to gush from the hydrant while residents looked on, some snapping photos of the sight.
Officials from Eastern Municipal Water District arrived shortly before 10 p.m. to work on shutting the water off, but were unsuccessful as of 10:40 p.m.
Despite fire crews’ efforts to locate a shut-off valve, the water continued to gush from the hydrant while residents looked on. (Joe Fanaselle/SWRNN)
Surrounding storm drains appeared to handle the run-off at the time of this post.
Keene said that the driver had some complaint of pain but declined transport to a local hospital. He also noted that drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash.
No other injuries were reported. Homes or businesses in the area did not appear to be at risk for flooding.
*Joe Fanaselle contributed to this report.
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