One injured after tractor-trailer collides with two vehicles

A driver was transported to the hospital after a tractor-trailer collided with two vehicles on State Route 111 just north of McCabe Road Wednesday morning, authorities said.

According to the California Highway Patrol, 37-year-old Carlos Alvarez, of Mexicali, was driving a 2014 Volvo truck tractor with a trailer southbound on State Route 111 (SR-111) at around 6:23 a.m. At that time, two vehicles were stopped for a red light at southbound SR-111 at McCabe Road. The first vehicle, a 2016 Ford van, was driven by Victor Conde and behind it, Jose Ureta was driving a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta.

For reasons still under investigation, authorities said Alvarez was traveling at an unsafe speed behind of Ureta and Conde’s vehicles. Ureta saw Bernal’s vehicle traveling too fast behind his vehicle and attempted to move to avoid the collision. CHP said Alvarez began to brake but due to his speed, he was unable to stop in time.

Alvarez’s vehicle impacted into the rear of Ureta’s causing his vehicle to propel forward and into the rear of Conde’s vehicle. The drivers were able to move their vehicles and clear the lanes of traffic.

Ureta was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center for treatment of a minor injury and was soon released. Alvarez and Conde did not report injuries.

Authorities said alcohol or drugs did not play a factor in this incident.