Fiery Rollover Crash Precedes Second Collision on Highway 138

PHELAN, California -- In the early hours of Saturday, January 27, 2024, a harrowing incident unfolded on eastbound Highway 138 as a vehicle rolled over, subsequently catching fire, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

The solo vehicle crash occurred around 1:20 am near the vicinity of Little Horsethief Canyon Rd, approximately a mile away from Summit Valley Rd.

The driver, reportedly operating a pickup truck, managed to escape the vehicle before it became engulfed in flames. The vehicle came to rest about 100 feet away from the roadway.

Quick response from fire crews ensured the prompt extinguishing of the blaze and nearby brush. Emergency personnel remained on the scene to control traffic while towing services worked on removing the damaged vehicle. Miraculously, the driver emerged unscathed from the ordeal.

However, the incident took a dramatic turn around 2:40 am when another driver, for reasons yet to be determined, veered towards the right shoulder of the roadway. In a fateful twist, this driver collided with the back of a firetruck that was actively engaged in managing the aftermath of the earlier rollover crash.

The driver involved in the second collision fled the scene, and as of the latest report, no injuries were reported among the firefighters. The California Highway Patrol, Victorville Office, is set to conduct a thorough investigation into the sequence of events. Additional details are expected to surface upon the release of the CHP's preliminary accident report.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding these consecutive incidents on Highway 138.

Rollover Fiery Crash on Highway 138 Saturday Morning, then a Vehicle Hit and Run Collision into Fire TruckPhoto by(Photo: Elizabeth Amador.)