RIVERSIDE: Six-year-old critically injured in DUI-related crash

RIVERSIDE – DUI is suspected as the primary contributing factor in an accident where a vehicle smashed into a traffic pole Monday, Dec. 12. The single-car accident happened at 10692 Indiana Avenue in Riverside.

A six-year-old resident of Riverside, who has not been identified, was improperly restrained and was critically injured in the accident.

The driver of the vehicle, who was later identified as Jesse Leroy Posada, 39, of Riverside, was found to be under the influence of prescription medication and marijuana. Based on his level of intoxication and the injuries the minor sustained, officers arrested Posada.

A Riverside Superior Court records search revealed this was Posada’s second arrest for DUI in Riverside County.

Posada was arrested for a prior DUI Feb. 1, 2005 and charged with trying to bribe a police officers, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and prior prison enhancements.

In that case, Posada was convicted of attempting to bribe a police officer and driving under the influence of alcohol after he pleaded guilty to the charges Feb. 10, 2005.

The second DUI-related incident was first reported at 8:14 a.m., after Riverside Fire personnel from Fire Station 12 observed the vehicle being driven by Posada smash into a roadway sign pole across the street from the fire station.

The Fire Department responded to the wreck to administer aid to the injured driver and passenger and notified the Riverside Police Department about the accident.

Based on the severity of the 6-year-old’s injuries and the fact that Posada was determined to have been driving under the influence at the time of the accident, the Riverside Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to conduct an accident investigation.

During their initial investigation, MAIT officials determined Posada was traveling westbound on Indiana Avenue when his vehicle drifted of the right side of the roadway for an unknown reason. After leaving the roadway, Posada’s vehicle collided with a large street sign pole.

The right front passenger, a six-year-old resident of Riverside, was not properly restrained and sustained critically injuries in the accident.

Firefighter/Paramedics treated the minor at the scene before AMR medics transported the child to a local area hospital.

Posada was treated for his injuries at Kaiser Hospital in Riverside. After he was medically cleared, officers arrested Posada.

A jail record search revealed Posada was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and causing willful harm to a child. He was released the day after his arrest after posting $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall of Justice Feb. 10.

 

Anyone with information regarding this incident or who witnessed the collision is urged to call Riverside Police Traffic Detective K. Madsen at (951) 826-8723. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

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.