RIVERSIDE: DUI suspected in crash that left passenger dead
The barely recognizable car sustained major damage in the deadly wreck. William Hayes photo
RIVERSIDE – A Moreno Valley resident died in a single-vehicle accident after a driver plowed into two trees and a light pole Monday, Feb. 20. The deadly wreck happened in the area of University Avenue west of Eucalyptus Avenue in Riverside.
Officers investigating the crash believe alcohol intoxication was a contributing factor in the collision, police officials said after their initial investigation.
Emergency first responders were dispatched to the fatal accident about 2:14 a.m., after City of Riverside emergency dispatchers received multiple 911 calls from citizens reporting the wreck.
Riverside Police and Fire personnel arrived at the scene within minutes of the dispatched call and found a 2011 Chevy Impala that had smashed into two trees and a light pole. The car sustained major damage in the accident and left the driver and passenger with major traumatic injuries.
Based on the severity of the victim’s injuries, the Riverside Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the location and assumed the investigation.
Members of Riverside PD’s Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene and conducted an investigation into the fatal accident. William Hayes photo
During their initial investigation officers determined the Chevrolet was being driven eastbound on University Avenue by a 31-year-old, Desert Hot Springs resident when it left the roadway and collided with two trees and a light pole.
AMR medics transported the driver to Riverside Community Hospital with significant injuries. The right front passenger of the vehicle, a 31-year-old Moreno Valley resident was transported to Riverside Community Hospital with major injuries.
The passenger later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff. He has not been identified pending a coroner’s investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this collision is urged to call Riverside Police Traffic Detective G. Matthews at (951) 826-8724. Callers can remain anonymous.
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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 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.