UPDATED: Motorist killed in Moreno Valley solo-vehicle rollover accident ID’d

May 29, 2016 Trevor Montgomery

The SUV rolled onto its side after striking several trees and a concrete light pole. William Hayes / Epicenter News photo

UPDATE: 5/30/2016 4:45 p.m. With coroner’s release of identification

MORENO VALLEY – A motorist died when his vehicle smashed into a concrete light pole, May 29, according to a sheriff official. The accident occurred near the intersection of Lassell Street and La Barca Road, in Moreno Valley.

Coroner’s officials identified the victim as Willie Zarco Jr., 20, of Moreno Valley. The coroner’s release listed Zarco’s time of death as 5:03 a.m.

Riverside County emergency communications dispatchers received a 911 call at about 3:14 a.m., regarding the report of a major injury traffic collision, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Stens said about the fatal accident.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Moreno Valley Police Station, Moreno Valley Fire personnel, and AMR paramedics arrived within minutes of the dispatched call and located a single red SUV that “collided with multiple trees and a light pole,” Stens said.

The vehicle rolled over onto its side after the accident, trapping Zarco. The accident was so severe it took firefighters extensive work to extricate him from the destroyed SUV and he was not removed from the vehicle for nearly two hours after the accident.

The vehicle involved in the fatal collision struck several trees and a light pole. Miguel Shannon / Epicenter News

Zarco suffered major traumatic injuries in the collision. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Moreno Valley Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and conducted an accident investigation.

Deputies called for the closure of Lassell Street in both directions between Iris Avenue and Gentian Avenue for several hours while deputies investigated the fatal accident.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision, pending toxicology reports.

The sheriff’s department is asking anyone with information regarding this incident or anyone that may have witnessed the collision contact the Moreno Valley Police Department Traffic Division at (951) 486-6900. After hours and on weekends the department can be reached at (951) 776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number MV161500067 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.