San Jacinto PD deputy injured in rear end DUI collision
Both cars were totaled in the rear end collision. Laurie Cain photo
SAN JACINTO – A suspected drunk driver plowed into the back-end of a sheriff’s patrol vehicle Friday, Aug 26. A deputy who was in the car at the time of the collision sustained minor to moderate injuries.
Paramedics and firefighters treated both the deputy and the driver of the vehicle that crashed into the rear of the patrol vehicle. Paramedics then transported both men to a local hospital for treatment.
After being treated the deputy is reportedly home recovering this morning.
The late-night crash happened about 11 p.m. at the intersection of State and Seventh Streets in San Jacinto.
The San Jacinto PD/Riverside Sheriff’s patrol vehicle was severely damaged in the collision. William Hayes photo
Sheriff’s officials investigating the traffic collision have said Joel Aaron Golden, 30, of Hemet – who court records revealed has had three prior DUI convictions in California – failed to stop before hitting the deputy’s car. He was driving a newer white Chevrolet Cobalt.
Golden, the driver of the vehicle that struck the San Jacinto PD car, reportedly attempted to flee from the hospital; however, CHP officers and sheriff’s deputies apprehended Golden a short time later. He reportedly told hospital staff he was fleeing because he didn’t want to be arrested for another DUI and due to drugs he had left inside his car when the traffic collision happened.
Firefighters and other emergency first responders were quick to arrive at the scene of the accident. Miguel Shannon photo
After he was medically cleared for booking, Golden was arrested and booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of driving under the influence with three priors for the same, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of drugs for sale, and possession of methamphetamine.
Golden is scheduled to be arraigned at an unspecified court Aug. 31.
Anyone with information regarding this collision and investigation is encouraged to contact officials at the San Jacinto Police Station at (951) 654-2702. Callers can refer to incident file number I162390115 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
William Hayes and Miguel Shannon video screen shots
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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 10 (soon to be 12) grandchildren.