PERRIS: Man seriously injured in DUI wreck into occupied home

PERRIS – A man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol crashed his pickup truck into an occupied home Saturday, Feb. 2. The accident happened on South B Street and West 11th Street in Perris and forced the temporary closure of several streets in the area.

“The residents were present when the truck drove into the living room of the home; however, they were able to escape injury,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Jason Edmondson said after the accident.

The driver of the truck, who was identified as Jose Ornelas, 43, of Perris, “sustained serious and potential life threatening injuries. He was transported a local trauma center for treatment,” said Edmondson.

“Misdemeanor charges will be sought with the Riverside District Attorney’s office against Ornelas for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, being unlicensed, and being in possession of a controlled substance,” Edmondson explained. “Ornelas has a prior conviction for driving under the influence.”

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Perris Police station and other emergency first responders were sent to the home about 10:04 p.m., after emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from a person inside the residence reporting the traffic accident.

Twenty-two firefighters from three engine companies and two truck companies responded to the accident, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer Tawny Castro. They were assisted by a breathing support unit and the department’s urban Search and Rescue Team.

“The first arriving engine company reported a vehicle partially into a residence,” Castro explained.

While firefighters treated Ornelas, the Perris Traffic Reconstruction Unit responded to the location to investigate the cause of the collision.

During their preliminary investigation, deputies determined Ornelas was driving a black F-150 northbound on South B Street when he lost control of his truck and smashed into the occupied home.

Based on Ornelas’ statements and evidence collected at the scene, deputies determined Ornelas was under the influence at the time of the accident.

“Minor road closures were necessary on 10th Street and B Street, north of 11th Street and South Boulevard,” while deputies conducted their investigation, Edmondson explained. The roadway was later re-opened to through traffic.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or who witnessed the accident is encouraged to call Officer Halburian at the Perris Sheriff’s Station (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PE170350124 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

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.