UPDATED: Sleepy driver causes rollover that killed 53-year-old Hemet resident – Victim ID’d

A 53-year-old Hemet resident was killed after being ejected through the sunroof of his 2013 VW Beetle. Miguel Shannon / Epicenter News

VALLE VISTA – A  53-year-old Hemet resident was killed in a violent wreck with a second car, Tuesday, May 10. The victim was reportedly ejected through the sunroof of his Volkswagen Beetle after being struck nearly head-on by a wrong-way driver.

The driver of the vehicle that crashed into the Beetle told investigating officers he had fallen asleep just before the fatal accident occurred, California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Darren Meyer said in a written statement.

Family members have identified the victim killed in this accident as Ron Huxell.

The fatal collision occurred on Mountain Avenue near Cedar Avenue, just east of the Ramona Expressway and was reported at 6:14 a.m.

The driver of this Saturn reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing the fatal traffic collision. Miguel Shannon / Epicenter News

According to a press release from CHP, Jacob Farrow, 20, of Hemet, was driving a black 2000 Saturn SL east on Mountain Avenue when he reportedly fell asleep. After dozing off, Farrow’s vehicle crossed the double yellow lines directly into the path of the Beetle.

The crash was so violent, the Volkswagen reportedly overturned at least one or more times. A CHP report indicated Huxell was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision. He was ejected through the sunroof of the Beetle.

Huxell was treated at the scene by firefighters and paramedics before he was transported to a local area hospital with major, traumatic injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff about 7:30 a.m.

A CHP officer photographs and documents the scene of the fatal collision. Miguel Shannon / Epicenter News

The officer’s investigation revealed Farrow and his two passengers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision. All three reportedly suffered minor injuries.

It is unknown what charges, if any, Farrow might face in the fatal rollover.

Writing on behalf of the family on a Go Fund Me page created to help the family raise money for Huxell’s burial and other costs, Corey Huxell, Ron Huxell’s son wrote, “Rest in Peace Dad, knowing you cultivated an unfathomable amount of love throughout your 53 short but legendary years on this Earth.”

Ron “Ronnie” Huxell in a photograph from 2014. Huxell family photo

Cecil Howerton, Huxell’s brother-in-law, talked about Huxell and the legacy his family feels he has left. “He was such an amazing father. His life was for his family. Everything he did, he did for his wife and kids”

One of the things Huxell – or Ronnie – was best known for according to Howerton were his abilities as a diesel technician. His YouTube channel dieseltechron has over 7 million views.

Huxell leaves behind a wife, Sonya and four children; including three boys, Corey, 21, Blake, 19, Adam, 16, and one girl, Brooke, 13.

Ronnie with his wife Sonya and their four children, Corey, Blake, Adam and Brooke.

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