On 12/19/19 at approximately 2:14 pm, Officers from the Redding Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of Cypress Avenue and Churn Creek Road in Redding, to a report of a multiple vehicle collision with multiple injuries. During the investigation, Officers determined River Smith (8/31/95 of Redding) was traveling westbound on Cypress Avenue in his black Acura SUV. Smith failed to stop at the red signal light at Churn Creek Road. Smith’s vehicle collided with multiple vehicles in the intersection.
A total of eight vehicles were involved in the collision. A total of five people were injured as a result of the collision, and three of those were transported to local hospitals with complaint of pain, bruising, or lacerations. One of the injured parties was a juvenile. All parties reported wearing seat belts and airbags deployed in several vehicles. None of the injuries appear to be life threatening. The Redding Police Department Traffic unit is assisting with the investigation.
Smith, depicted below, was evaluated and arrested for suspicion of felony driving under the influence of drugs, causing injury. Smith was booked into Shasta County Jail.