Inland Valley

An early morning wrong-way crash on the 210 Freeway in Fontana left three people dead and injured another three passengers Saturday, Jan. 14, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. Saturday near Citrus Avenue when a 23-year-old Fontana man driving a 2012 Ford collided with a 2001 Lexus driven by a 43-year-old man from Highland, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Ford had been traveling the wrong way — moving eastbound in the westbound lanes, the CHP said— when it hit the Lexus.

Both drivers died at the scene; a 16-year-old passenger from the Lexus died at a local hospital. The Lexus had another three passengers, including a 42-year-old woman, a 5-year-old girl, and a 3-year-old boy, who sustained “major injuries” and received medical care, CHP said.

The victims’ names were not immediately available.

It was not immediately clear whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. The collision remains under investigation and authorities urged anyone with information to contact CHP Rancho Cucamonga office at 909-980-3994.

IRVINE — The best news concerning the Ducks took place away from the rink as forward Justin Kirkland was released from the hospital Monday evening.

The 26-year-old forward was taken to UCI Health after being involved in a car accident Sunday in Orange County en route to the Ducks’ game against the Boston Bruins at Honda Center. The Ducks said he had full mobility and has been communicating with family and teammates.

“He’s been released. He’s in good spirits,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said Tuesday. “Obviously, the timing of that the other night definitely put a good scare into all of us. And at the same time, reinforced a lot of things that we speak of here – not about hockey – being grateful to try and win the day with our relationships at home. You just never know when you could find yourself in a terrible, terrible situation.”

Jayson Megna, one of Kirkland’s linemates, said he spoke to Kirkland.

“My goodness – so scary,” Megna said. “It’s the first time in my career that someone on the way to the rink has gotten into a car accident. It sounds like he is doing a lot better. I’m definitely thinking about him and hoping for the best for him.”

The accident occurred about 2:30 p.m. on Sunday and involved two vehicles, Kirkland’s truck and a Toyota Highlander SUV, according to officers.

Kirkland’s black GMC Sierra pickup was stopped in the left lane of the transition road from the northbound 55 Freeway to the northbound 5 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol Officer Ken Yoon, who spoke to the two investigating officers.

The officers said a motorist saw Kirkland’s truck and thought he may be having mechanical issues, so the motorist stopped behind Kirkland’s truck and put on their hazard lights. When the motorist got out and attempted to talk to Kirkland, the truck rapidly accelerated and sideswiped the SUV in the right lane, causing the SUV to spin out and wound up facing the wrong direction in the left lane of the transition road.

Kirkland’s truck continued to accelerate down the transition road, onto the 5 Freeway. The truck then cut across all the lanes to the left before hitting the center median. His injuries were characterized as moderate, according to the officers.

The CHP is still investigating whether Kirkland’s truck may have had mechanical issues.

No practice for Zegras

Trevor Zegras, the Ducks’ second-leading scorer, was not at practice Tuesday because of an illness. Zegras is one of seven Ducks to have played in all 41 games this season. It was unclear if it was the same issue that kept defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk out of the lineup Friday against the San Jose Sharks.

“It sounds very similar so we’ll see where that goes,” Eakins said. “We’ll just have to re-evaluate it in the morning and see if he is available or not.”

Jones returns

Forward Max Jones participated in his first full practice since his back seized up on him during pregame warmups Dec. 13 in Toronto, which led to a last-minute scratch from the lineup.

“He hasn’t played in a long time here,” Eakins said. “The biggest thing for him will be the rhythm of the game, trying not to do too much. We’ll try to control his ice time the best we can but (his) game.”

Long stretches out of the lineup are not new for Jones. He missed almost all of last season with a torn chest muscle.

“Unfortunately he has great experience in this,” Eakins said. “I know he’s excited to get back and we’re excited to have him back. Now he’s got to get to his game as fast as possible.”

EDMONTON AT DUCKS

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Honda Center

TV: Bally Sports SoCal

IRVINE — The best news concerning the Ducks took place away from the rink as forward Justin Kirkland was released from the hospital Monday evening.

The 26-year-old forward was taken to UCI Health after being involved in a car accident Sunday in Orange County en route to the Ducks’ game against the Boston Bruins at Honda Center. The Ducks said he had full mobility and has been communicating with family and teammates.

“He’s been released. He’s in good spirits,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said Tuesday. “Obviously, the timing of that the other night definitely put a good scare into all of us. And at the same time, reinforced a lot of things that we speak of here – not about hockey – being grateful to try and win the day with our relationships at home. You just never know when you could find yourself in a terrible, terrible situation.”

Jayson Megna, one of Kirkland’s linemates, said he spoke to Kirkland.

“My goodness – so scary,” Megna said. “It’s the first time in my career that someone on the way to the rink has gotten into a car accident. It sounds like he is doing a lot better. I’m definitely thinking about him and hoping for the best for him.”

The accident occurred about 2:30 p.m. on Sunday and involved two vehicles, Kirkland’s truck and a Toyota Highlander SUV, according to officers.

Kirkland’s black GMC Sierra pickup was stopped in the left lane of the transition road from the northbound 55 Freeway to the northbound 5 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol Officer Ken Yoon, who spoke to the two investigating officers.

The officers said a motorist saw Kirkland’s truck and thought he may be having mechanical issues, so the motorist stopped behind Kirkland’s truck and put on their hazard lights. When the motorist got out and attempted to talk to Kirkland, the truck rapidly accelerated and sideswiped the SUV in the right lane, causing the SUV to spin out and wound up facing the wrong direction in the left lane of the transition road.

Kirkland’s truck continued to accelerate down the transition road, onto the 5 Freeway. The truck then cut across all the lanes to the left before hitting the center median. His injuries were characterized as moderate, according to the officers.

The CHP is still investigating whether Kirkland’s truck may have had mechanical issues.

No practice for Zegras

Trevor Zegras, the Ducks’ second-leading scorer, was not at practice Tuesday because of an illness. Zegras is one of seven Ducks to have played in all 41 games this season. It was unclear if it was the same issue that kept defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk out of the lineup Friday against the San Jose Sharks.

“It sounds very similar so we’ll see where that goes,” Eakins said. “We’ll just have to re-evaluate it in the morning and see if he is available or not.”

Jones returns

Forward Max Jones participated in his first full practice since his back seized up on him during pregame warmups Dec. 13 in Toronto, which led to a last-minute scratch from the lineup.

“He hasn’t played in a long time here,” Eakins said. “The biggest thing for him will be the rhythm of the game, trying not to do too much. We’ll try to control his ice time the best we can but (his) game.”

Long stretches out of the lineup are not new for Jones. He missed almost all of last season with a torn chest muscle.

“Unfortunately he has great experience in this,” Eakins said. “I know he’s excited to get back and we’re excited to have him back. Now he’s got to get to his game as fast as possible.”

EDMONTON AT DUCKS

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Honda Center

TV: Bally Sports SoCal

Ducks forward Justin Kirkland was hospitalized after a car accident in Orange County on Sunday on his way to their game against the Boston Bruins and remains under evaluation.

He has full mobility and has been communicating with family and teammates, according to the Ducks. The expectation is that Kirkland could be released from UCI Health in the next 24 to 48 hours, or even as early as Monday night.

“We are thankful for the quick care and treatment Justin received from first responders and medical staff at UCI Health,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement on Monday. “Justin is in great spirits, and we hope he will be released shortly.”

Kirkland, 26, was signed by the Ducks in July on a one-year, two-way contract after having spent the past three seasons playing for the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate in Stockton. He was called up from the Ducks’ AHL team in San Diego on Dec. 20, and made his NHL debut that night against the Kings. Kirkland has appeared in seven games in fourth-line duty with the Ducks, and previously had 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 19 games with the Gulls.  His season high in time on ice with the Ducks was 8 minutes 38 seconds was on Dec. 21 against Minnesota.

Ducks forward Justin Kirkland was hospitalized after a car accident in Orange County on Sunday on his way to their game against the Boston Bruins and remains under evaluation.

He has full mobility and has been communicating with family and teammates, according to the Ducks. The expectation is that Kirkland could be released from UCI Health in the next 24 to 48 hours, or even as early as Monday night.

“We are thankful for the quick care and treatment Justin received from first responders and medical staff at UCI Health,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement on Monday. “Justin is in great spirits, and we hope he will be released shortly.”

Kirkland, 26, was signed by the Ducks in July on a one-year, two-way contract after having spent the past three seasons playing for the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate in Stockton. He was called up from the Ducks’ AHL team in San Diego on Dec. 20, and made his NHL debut that night against the Kings. Kirkland has appeared in seven games in fourth-line duty with the Ducks, and previously had 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 19 games with the Gulls.  His season high in time on ice with the Ducks was 8 minutes 38 seconds was on Dec. 21 against Minnesota.

A 19-year-old man racing another motorist through the streets of Moreno Valley plowed into a pickup, severely injuring the other motorist, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said.

Tyler Michael Hanna of Menifee was arrested and booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on Wednesday night, Dec. 21, on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs resulting in great bodily injury and engaging in a speed contest, both felonies.

Hanna posted a $50,000 bond and was released from custody during the predawn hours on Thursday.

At about 7 p.m. Wednesday, Hanna was at the wheel of a 2006 Ford 500 going west on Alessandro Boulevard, approaching Elsworth Street, when he accelerated well in excess of the speed limit while competing with a dark-colored sedan, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Robert Grmusha said, a 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup was eastbound on Alessandro and began to turn north onto Elsworth as the two racers reached the intersection. The Ford collided with the Toyota, leaving both vehicles disabled, Grmusha said, while the dark-colored sedan fled.

The Toyota driver suffered major injuries but was expected to survive, Grmusha said.

Hanna was arrested without incident.

Staff writer Brian Rokos contributed to this report.

A 19-year-old man racing another motorist through the streets of Moreno Valley plowed into a pickup, severely injuring the other motorist, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said.

Tyler Michael Hanna of Menifee was arrested and booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on Wednesday night, Dec. 21, on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs resulting in great bodily injury and engaging in a speed contest, both felonies.

Hanna posted a $50,000 bond and was released from custody during the predawn hours on Thursday.

At about 7 p.m. Wednesday, Hanna was at the wheel of a 2006 Ford 500 going west on Alessandro Boulevard, approaching Elsworth Street, when he accelerated well in excess of the speed limit while competing with a dark-colored sedan, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Robert Grmusha said, a 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup was eastbound on Alessandro and began to turn north onto Elsworth as the two racers reached the intersection. The Ford collided with the Toyota, leaving both vehicles disabled, Grmusha said, while the dark-colored sedan fled.

The Toyota driver suffered major injuries but was expected to survive, Grmusha said.

Hanna was arrested without incident.

Staff writer Brian Rokos contributed to this report.

A woman driving in the Rosena Ranch neighborhood in an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County was shot by another driver on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 22.

The woman was driving near the Sycamore Creek Drive and the Clearwater Parkway intersection around noon when she was shot, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s spokesperson Mara Rodriguez.

A preliminary investigation determined that the victim, who also had a passenger in her vehicle, was involved in a dispute with the driver of another vehicle near Sierra Avenue, south of Interstate 15 in Fontana, authorities said. The suspect vehicle followed her into the residential neighborhood where the suspect then fired at the vehicle before fleeing.

The woman was taken to a hospital where she was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Rodriguez said.

A description of the suspect or suspect’s vehicle was not available.

Deputies are continuing to search the area.

This is a developing story. More information will be added when it becomes available.

A woman driving in the Rosena Ranch neighborhood in an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County was shot by another driver on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 22.

The woman was driving near the Sycamore Creek Drive and the Clearwater Parkway intersection around noon when she was shot, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s spokesperson Mara Rodriguez.

A preliminary investigation determined that the victim, who also had a passenger in her vehicle, was involved in a dispute with the driver of another vehicle near Sierra Avenue, south of Interstate 15 in Fontana, authorities said. The suspect vehicle followed her into the residential neighborhood where the suspect then fired at the vehicle before fleeing.

The woman was taken to a hospital where she was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Rodriguez said.

A description of the suspect or suspect’s vehicle was not available.

Deputies are continuing to search the area.

This is a developing story. More information will be added when it becomes available.