Lake Elsinore family devastated after crash leaves 4 dead, 4 injured

The 2003 Ford Explorer “barrel-rolled” several times down at least 2 embankments, according to CHP officials. NBC4 Los Angeles screenshot.

POMONA – A night out for an engaged couple and her future in-laws ended tragically when four of the eight people inside an SUV were killed in a rollover accident early Saturday Oct. 15. The four others from the SUV were seriously injured.

The fatal incident, which is being investigated as a possible hit and run, happened at about 5 a.m. All eight victims from the destroyed SUV were Lake Elsinore residents.

The accident happened when a 2003 Ford Explorer, being driven by 25-year-old Elena Chavez, veered off the eastbound Interstate 60 Freeway in Pomona just west of Reservoir Street. After leaving the roadway, the SUV “barrel-rolled” numerous times down at least two embankments, according to California Highway Patrol officials.

Chavez’s family said she and her fiancé, Luis Herrera – who was killed in the accident – had taken members of Herrera’s family out for a night of fun at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. Chavez and Herrera have a 17-month-old child together.

Four men and four women, between the ages of 21 and 49, were riding in the SUV when the accident occurred. The Explorer reportedly only had seats for seven people and not everyone was wearing seat belts.

Six of the eight people inside the Explorer were ejected from the SUV when it began rolling. Three of those ejected and at least one passenger who was wearing a seat belt succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene, CHP officials explained in a written statement.

The four killed in the accident were identified as Chavez’ fiance, 29-year-old Luis Herrera; Luis’ 49-year-old father and 21-year-old sister Gerardo Herrera and Noemi Herrera; and a 26-year-old family friend Elba Rosales, according to the L.A. County Coroner’s Office.

Chavez and the three other surviving victims were taken to hospitals with injuries described as moderate to major, according to CHP officials. Three of the four victims were transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for medical treatment. The fourth survivor, an unidentified male, was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center. His condition and injuries were believed to be the most severe.

No updates have been provided regarding any of the four victims who survived the wreck.

Chavez told investigating officers she was traveling in the number two lane of traffic at 65 to 75 mph when a newer-model white vehicle struck the left side of the SUV.

“(Chavez) immediately lost control of her vehicle as it veered sharply to the right,” according to a preliminary report written by CHP Officer S. Sullinger. “(The Explorer) subsequently overturned within the No. 4 lane and on the right shoulder area.”

“The vehicle continued to overturn multiple times down a dirt embankment, across the Reservoir Street off-ramp, down a second dirt embankment, and finally came to rest against the chain-link perimeter fence,” Sullinger explained.

A coroner’s vehicle remains at the scene as officials investigate the crash that killed 4. NBC4 Los Angeles screenshot.

Investigating officers found possible paint transfer and damage on the left side of the SUV that were consistent with Chavez’ account of a hit and run traffic collision, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez.

CHP and City of Pomona police officers searched the area for the white car that reportedly clipped Chavez’ SUV causing the accident; however, they were unable to locate the vehicle.

Neither alcohol nor drug intoxication appeared to be contributing factors in the fatal accident, according to Jimenez.

The deadly crash caused a SigAlert that forced the closure of a portion of the freeway and several nearby connector roads for several hours while officers and coroner’s officials conducted an investigation. The closures remained in affect through Saturday morning and afternoon.

Family and friends mourning the loss of their loved ones gathered Saturday evening to leave candles and mementos along the fence where the SUV finally came to rest.

Chavez had reportedly been studying to teach special needs students and Herrera worked construction before he was killed in the fatal crash.

Jimenez called the crash a “tragedy,” and asked that anyone with information about this incident or who witnessed the accident to contact the CHP’s Baldwin Park area office at (626) 338-1164. “Any and all information can assist us,” Jimenez said.

“Wear your seat belts when you’re traveling to keep yourself safe,” Jimenez cautioned others. “If you’re having a fun night, we don’t want it to end up in a tragedy like this. We want you to get home safely.”

 

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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.