By Mike Harris
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
Rockslides along Highway 18 in what’s called the Narrows wrecked two vehicles on two different dates, causing the drivers to be transported to the emergency room and destroying both vehicles.
This Mercedes Benz van was destroyed when boulders fell on it on Oct. 18. (Photos: San Bernardino County Fire)
The first incident occurred on Sept. 18 when a westbound late model Mercedes Benz SUV was struck by a large bounder, first striking the front of the vehicle, rolling up over the windshield, then crushing the top of the SUV.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the driver, the sole occupant, was transported to an area hospital for his injuries. Despite rumors floating around local chat rooms, the driver did not strike the side of the mountain, causing the boulder to fall. The boulder, the CHP said, came loose on its own and smashed into the vehicle.
The second incident occurred on Oct. 18 at around 8 a.m. when a rockslide smashed into a late model Mercedes Benz van heading westbound in roughly the same area in the Narrows.
San Bernardino County Fire responded to the incident, and the driver, the only occupant, had to be cut out of the van. He was transported to the hospital. Highway 18 was closed for more than three hours while Caltrans crews removed the rocks blocking the highway.
With both incidents, the CHP had no report on current conditions of the drivers, and names of the drivers were not released.
Caltrans said it will remove unstable rock in the area along Highway 18 when crews become available.
An alternative route to using that portion of Highway 18 that runs through the Narrows is Crest Forest Drive, Caltrans said.
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