Police: Man Changing Clock in Car Causes 3-Car Crash

A three-car crash Friday night in Murrieta was allegedly due to distracted driving, according to police.

The wreck occurred at about 8:45 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Los Alamos Road and Madison Avenue.

A 34-year-old Murrieta man was driving his Toyota Tacoma eastbound on Los Alamos Road when he allegedly failed to stop at a red light at the intersection, hitting two cars waiting ahead of him, Murrieta police Sgt. Jay Froboese said.

Paramedics with the Murrieta Fire Department and American Medical Response arrived to find a 48-year-old woman and her 4-year-old daughter suffering from minor injuries, Froboese said. The patients were transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

A third driver—a teenager who was first in line at the light—was not injured.

The driver of the Toyota was traveling at an alleged speed of about 45 mph, according to Froboese.

Though the driver was not cited, Froboese said he was found at fault in the accident.

Froboese said the incident serves as a reminder that distracted driving is not only the use of cellphones.

The Murrieta Police Department is joining other law enforcement agencies during the month of April in an effort to crack down on distracted driving.