UPDATE: HOMELAND: Hemet resident ID’d in fatal Hwy. 74 head-on wreck

UPDATE: 11/09/2016 3:30 p.m.

HOMELAND – Coroner’s officials have released the name of the motorist killed in yesterday’s fatal, three-car, head-on traffic collision; as well as their preliminary findings into how the accident occurred.

The victim killed in the collision has been identified as Jaime Bautista, 41, of Hemet. Coroner’s officials listed Bautista’s time of injury as 2 p.m. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead inside his vehicle, which came to rest in the westbound lanes of traffic on Hwy 74, 300 feet west of Leon Road. His time of death was listed as 2:12 p.m. Firefighters had to conduct a cut and rescue operation to recover Bautista’s body from the mangled wreckage of his car.

According to a CHP accident report Bautista was driving eastbound on Hwy. 74 in a silver, 2016 Nissan Versa when the accident happened. He was travelling at about 40 mph, according to the report.

Shawn Zazueta, 33, of Moreno Valley was travelling westbound on Hwy. 74 in a brown, 2015 Chevrolet Malibu when he suddenly veered sharply to the left, crossed the double yellow lines and smashed head-on into Bautista’s car. CHP Officer Mendez estimated Zazueta’s speed to be about 40 mph.

The impact between the two cars caused both vehicles to spin, at which time Bautista’s vehicle was struck a second time by a third vehicle, described as a white, 1999 Honda Accord.

The Honda had two occupants who were both injured in the collision. The driver of the Honda was identified as Ryanna Garner, 18, of Perris. The passenger was identified as a 17-year-old resident of Hemet. Her name has not been released due to her age.

After the fatal collision, Zazueta was transported to the trauma center at Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley. Garner and the unidentified minor were both transported to Menifee Valley Medical Center.

CHP accident investigators determined that speed was not a factor in the deadly collision. As of this report, CHP had made no arrests or issued any citations related to the wreck. Alcohol and/or drug intoxication are not considered contributing factors at this point, pending toxicology reports.

CHP’s investigation into the accident is active and ongoing.

The victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe account to help the family offset his burial expenses.

Anyone with information regarding this collision or who witnessed the deadly accident is encouraged to contact CHP Officer E. Mendez at (951) 769-2000. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

HOMELAND – Three people were injured and one person was killed in a three vehicle, head-on traffic collision this afternoon, Tuesday, Nov. 8. The fatal accident happened in the area of Highway 74 near Leon Road in Homeland.

California Highway Patrol officers, Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighter/paramedics and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene about 2 p.m., after CHP emergency dispatchers received several 911 calls from witnesses who saw the deadly crash.

Callers advised the vehicles, described as a black or charcoal grey Chevrolet Cruz, a silver Nissan, and an older, white Nissan had been involved in the collision. Two of the vehicles had smashed head-on into each other. All three of the vehicles were left blocking the westbound lanes of traffic.

13 firefighters from four engine companies responded to assist with the fatal collision, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer Jody Hagemann. When they arrived, firefighters found four victims suffering different traumatic injuries.

One of the victim’s succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, Hagemann explained in a written press release about the accident. The victim has not been identified yet, pending notification of the person’s family.

The three other victims were all treated at the scene before AMR medics transported them by ground ambulances to area hospitals for further evaluation and treatment. One of the victims sustained moderate injuries and the other two suffered minor injuries, according to Hagemann.

Traffic quickly backed up after the accident and was stretched several miles in the westbound lanes of traffic.

While firefighter/paramedics and AMR medics treated the victims, CHP officers conducted an investigation into the deadly accident. During their investigation, officers called for the closure of the westbound lanes of traffic on Highway 74.

CHP’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team responded to the location to assist in the investigation, which is active and ongoing.

The damaged vehicles were towed and stored as evidence, for further investigation into the cause of the accident.

Anyone with information regarding this collision or who witnessed the deadly accident is encouraged to contact CHP officers at (951) 769-2000. Callers can remain anonymous.

Click any image for full-size gallery.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

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 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.