San Jacinto DUI hit and run collision breaks power pole in half
A telephone pole was snapped in half when a reckless driver smashed into it after hitting another car. Miguel Shannon photo
SAN JACINTO – An early morning, DUI hit and run traffic collision in San Jacinto left two cars destroyed and a telephone pole broken in half July 17. The two-vehicle accident happened in the area of Mountain Avenue, near Rue Pinot Blanc, when a drunk driver crashed into another car before smashing into the telephone pole.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station responded to the hit and run accident at about 3:06 a.m. “Prior to the deputies’ arrival, both occupants of the vehicle that caused the accident had fled the location in an unrelated vehicle,” according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Frank Tiburzio.
Two people fled from a Lexus that struck another vehicle before hitting a pole. Miguel Shannon photo
The deputies’ preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle, described as a black Lexus, had been traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver tried to pass another vehicle, described as a black BMW. The Lexus lost control, smashed into the back of the BMW and then collided into a power pole.
During the accident investigation, deputies learned two people had been brought to an area hospital with injuries consistent with a traffic collision. Deputies responded to the hospital and confirmed the two subjects were involved in the collision they were investigating. The driver and passenger both sustained non-life threatening injuries.
“The driver will be charged with felony DUI, as well as hit and run charges,” according to Tiburzio.
Two people fled from a Lexus that struck another vehicle before hitting a pole. Miguel Shannon photo
No information was available about the driver of the BMW.
Mountain Avenue was closed between Hemet Street and Esplanade Avenue for several hours while Southern California Edison replaced the damaged pole.
The investigation is ongoing, according to Tiburzio. Anyone with information regarding the collision is encouraged to contact the San Jacinto Police Department at (951) 654-2702. Callers can refer to incident file number I161990019 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
Mountain Ave. was closed for several hours while deputies conducted an accident investigation. Miguel Shannon photo