Two Critically Injured in Head-On Collision

UPDATE 9:45 a.m. July 7: One of the drivers in the head-on collision has been pronounced dead. Authorities say Richard "Dick" Johnson, 84, of Murrieta, succumbed to his injuries shortly after he was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: The roadway was cleared as of 10:20 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

ORIGINAL POST:

Two people suffered critical injuries in a head-on collision just outside Murrieta Wednesday evening.

The two-car crash was reported at 8:53 p.m. in the 38900 block of Clinton Keith Road, just outside the Murrieta city limits, south of Avenida La Cresta, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The injured were extricated from the vehicles by 9:03 p.m. and transported to an area hospital in critical condition, said Melody Hendrickson of Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

California Highway Patrol, Murrieta Fire Department, Murrieta Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff's Department also assisted at the crash site.

According to CHP, an older model Lincoln and an SUV were blocking the two-lane roadway.

Both sides of Clinton Keith Road were closed to through traffic while the accident scene was being cleared.