Fatal Accident On Hwy 74 Results In Arrest Of Hemet Resident
Written by Trevor Montgomery
A devastating, fatal head-on crash that occurred on State Highway 74 in the unincorporated community of Homeland resulted in the death of a Hemet resident. Another Hemet area resident was arrested and jailed for his involvement in the fatal collision.
According to a CHP incident log and a subsequent coroner’s report, the wreck was reported at about 7:05 a.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The accident reportedly occurred approximately 300 feet east of Steinhoff Avenue.
Hector Suarez-Carreon, 27, arrested for Gross Vehicular Manslaughter. Image from Facebook.
According to Officer Mike Lassig of the California Highway Patrol, Hector Suarez-Carreon, a 27-year-old resident of Hemet, was driving Westbound in a Ford Ranger truck when he drifted into the Eastbound lanes of traffic. Suarez-Carreon’s truck smashed head-on into a vehicle being driven by 26-year-old David Preciado, who had been driving Eastbound on Highway 74. Officer Lassig stated Suarez-Carreon was travelling at approximately 60 mph at the time of the collision.
The violent collision caused Preciado’s 1988 Jeep Cherokee to spin off the roadway and roll down an embankment. Preciado, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle he had been driving. Preciado suffered major traumatic injuries in the accident.
Emergency first responders treated Preciado at the scene before transporting him to the Menifee Valley Medical Center. According to a coroner’s report, Preciado succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 7:58 a.m.
Suarez-Carreon had minor complaints of pain following the accident and was evaluated by emergency first responders. He declined further medical treatment.
Following the fatal collision, Suarez-Carreon posted this image
on his Facebook page from the back of a CHP patrol vehicle,
where he speculated he might be going to jail.
Based on their initial investigation, CHP officers arrested Suarez-Carreon for Gross Vehicular Manslaughter at approximately 12:20 p.m.
According to Riverside County jail records, Suarez-Carreon was booked into Southwest Detention Center at about 3:30 p.m., approximately 8 hours after the fatal accident. His bail was set at $50,000.
As of this report, Suarez-Carreon was being housed at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta. Jail records indicated Suarez-Carreon is expected to be in court on Jan. 20, to answer for the charges against him.
A person who worked with Preciado but wished to remain anonymous said, “(David) was a very caring and sweet man. He always had a smile and a laugh for me. He was a very good worker and cared about other people. My world was a better place knowing him.”
Contact the writer: [email protected]
You didn’t say why he was charged. Was he DUI, or did he do it intensionally.? That’s a pretty serious charge for an accident
This was interesting Rob. The suspect was not charged with DUI or anything of that nature, yet the CHP charged him with GVM; which I find very strange. I worked for RSO for 13 years and all I know is that to be charged with GVM instead of VM, or to be charged at a later date was very odd. The suspect might have admitted he was talking on the phone or texting while driving, which is now a crime under the “Distracted Driving” laws, but still wouldn’t warrant a charge of GVM, (I would think.) He also might have admitted to being too tired to drive. I have spoken with several of his family members who all said he was on his way to a 10 hour shift at work. So, I am waiting to hear more….I am very interested to see what the DA presents at his Arraignment and even more so what they present at his Preliminary Hearing.
I read in another article that he had admitted to the officer that he had fallen asleep.
That is what I have heard from numerous witnesses who stopped at the scene to help. It sounds like he simply fell asleep. Harsh charges for such a sad and unfortunate accident.
No DUI
Why does he have a phone in the police car and must not care if someone died
I sympathize with any family that loses a loved one. With that said. I have an issue when people are charged with manslaughter, because the victim was NOT wearing a seat belt. The victim negligently contributed to their own death. They broke the law. The other driver is usually negligent. Hence the charge. However, the victim had a much higher chance of survival had they worn their seat belt.
Agreed, not saying he is innocent of any wrong doing, the victim was very negligent in not wearing a seat belt
in some cases such as this I think police are given too much authority. They are acting like judge an jury. Shouldn’t they just file a report on accident if drinking or drugs not involved. If arrested for drugs or drinking in accident proves not to be involved there should be if anything a false report filed.
My folks were killed in a car accident from seatbelt wounds. Seatbelts sometimes save lives not always so keep your opinion to yourself all you’re doing is thinking out loud and nobody wants to hear it.
Isn’t that the same thing you just did? Stated your opinion?
Very good/ well written artical ! That filled in a lot of the pieces I was missing about what happend to a good friend!! RIP David!!!
Thank you Mr. Gift. I hope life is treating you well.