LAKE ELSINORE: Drunk teen causes two-vehicle wreck that hospitalized himself and his passenger

LAKE ELSINORE – A teenager who smashed into a traffic signal pole caused a two-vehicle, major-injury accident has been accused of driving while intoxicated Saturday, April 15. The collision happened near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Lash Street.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Police Station and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene of the accident about 7:18 p.m., after several people called 911 to report the wreck.

“The first officer arrived on scene and located a 2013 Toyota Corolla with major front end damage and a 2003 Ford pickup truck with passenger side damage in the roadway,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Brett Seckinger explained in a written press release after the incident.

Firefighters quickly determined that the driver of the Toyota was suffering from multiple leg fractures and his passenger was suffering from internal injuries.

The occupants of the Ford truck into the Toyota crashed were not injured.

Firefighter/paramedics and AMR medics treated the injured victims from the Toyota, while deputies began investigating the cause of the accident.

Both the driver and passenger from the Toyota were transported to a local hospital by ground ambulance to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

The driver of the Toyota, who was later identified as 19-year-old, Anthony Ray Harris, of Wildomar, and his passenger, who was not identified, were admitted to the hospital due to the severity of their injuries.

During their investigation deputies interviewed witnesses to the accident who told them the driver of the Toyota caused the accident after losing control of his vehicle.

“The Toyota was travelling northbound on Riverside Drive, and for unknown reasons, crossed over the southbound lane and collided into a traffic signal pole,” Seckinger explained after the wreck. “The Toyota then struck the Ford truck which was southbound on Riverside Drive.”

The deputies’ investigation also determined that Harris was driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, when he lost control of his car and caused the accident, according to Seckiner.

“Upon completion the investigation, (charges) will be filed with the District Attorney’s Office,” Seckinger stated.

The collision investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or who witnessed the wreck is encouraged to contact Officer Roberge of the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number L171050073 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor 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 and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.