Recent Accident on River Rd. Bridge
Photo: Matthew Zick

BY: JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale: The problematic River Rd. Bridge connecting Eastvale and Norco will be getting more of a police presence. Several accidents have occurred on the bridge, with the most recent one occurring on May 14th. Five people were injured in the multi-vehicle crash , and many more near accidents are constantly happening.

Resident Matthew Zick, who lives near the bridge, has seen so many “almost crashes and crazy drivers speeding down the bridge that its become almost a daily occurrence. We hear the squealing of brakes and horns constantly”. Other residents, have reported seeing cars speeding by them at excessive speeds, cutting other cars off, racing,  and other unsafe driving.

One of the problems with the bridge is that the curve is more deceiving then it looks and when a vehicle is traveling at an excessive speed it makes it hard to slow down and take the curve responsibly. In addition, there is nothing to prevent another vehicle from traveling into the other lane of on-coming traffic, which is what is what occurred in the most recent accident.

The issue of the unsafe driving behavior was brought up recently at the Public Safety Council meeting and brought to the attention of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department Eastvale Division.  Residents were concerned that it is just a matter of time before yet another fatality occurs on this bridge. Lt. Yates informed the Safety Council that he will arrange more traffic and speeding saturations to try and curb the speeding and unsafe driving that is happening there. Other residents, on our Eastvale Community News Facebook page have suggested putting up cement barriers between the lanes to keep vehicles from veering over, as well as flashing “Here’s your Speed” signs to make drivers aware.