By Peter Day
Senior Reporter
LUCERNE VALLEY — Near hurricane force winds contributed to a multiple vehicle pileup on Barstow Road/Highway 247 that injured 28 people on Monday, March 28.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the pileup that was reported at 3:21 p.m. involved at least 15 vehicles just north of Rabbit Springs Road.
A reporter driving to the scene said at times visibility on Rabbit Springs Road was less than 50 feet. Besides dust gales, powered by winds of up to an estimated 70 to 80 miles per hour, the incident took place on a stretch of highway that has numerous bumps in the pavement.
Two 18-wheelers, which were involved in the crash, partially blocked lanes. The injured suffered minor injuries; three were transported by ambulance to local hospitals.
Law enforcement closed a 15-mile stretch of Barstow Road for several hours.
A high wind warning had been issued several days prior to the incident for mountain and desert areas of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.