UPDATED: SAN JACINTO: 21-year-old pedestrian killed crossing San Jacinto Ave ID’d
UPDATE: May 3, 7 p.m.
Deputies rushed to the scene of the deadly, early morning collision. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo
Coroner’s officials have identified the pedestrian who was killed while crossing San Jacinto Avenue, Tuesday morning, May 2. Officials identified the victim as Darrick Peters, 21, of Hemet.
According to officials, Peters died after he was struck by an SUV. Peters was pronounced dead at the scene of the traffic accident at 5:31 a.m.
Officials are still investigating the deadly accident although in a previous press release, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Pohl explained, “There are no initial indications alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.”
Anyone with information about this collision or who witnessed the deadly accident is encouraged to contact Deputy Cortez or Deputy Cox at the San Jacinto Police Station’s Traffic Division at (951) 537-6411. Callers can refer to incident file number I171220012 and can remain anonymous.
ORIGINAL STORY
SAN JACINTO – Officials are investigating after a 21-year-old man was fatally struck while crossing a San Jacinto road Tuesday morning, May 2. The fatal, early-morning, vehicle versus pedestrian collision happened on San Jacinto Avenue near Commonwealth Avenue, just west of Wal-Mart, in San Jacinto.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station responded to the accident about 5:18 a.m., after the fatal traffic collision was reported to emergency dispatchers, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Matthew Pohl explained in a written press release hours after the deadly accident.
A white Chevy Suburban sits on the side of San Jacinto Avenue after the accident. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo
When emergency first responders arrived at the scene of the collision they found a white Chevrolet Suburban with moderate front-end damage. Officials also located the victim in the middle of the roadway nearby.
The victim suffered major traumatic injuries when he was struck by the large SUV. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Officials have not identified the pedestrian, a 21-year-old, male resident of Hemet, pending notification of the man’s family.
Members of the San Jacinto Police Department’s Traffic Division responded to the scene and conducted an investigation into the cause of the fatal accident.
During their investigation, officials determined the Chevrolet was traveling southbound on San Jacinto Avenue when the vehicle struck a pedestrian that was crossing the roadway.
An intersection near where the accident happened has a cross walk; however, it was not immediately known if the victim, who was wearing all dark clothing, was using the cross walk when he was struck.
The driver of the vehicle, identified only as a 58-year-old, male resident of San Jacinto, remained at the scene of the accident and was reportedly cooperating with the sheriff’s investigation.
Sheriff’s deputies survey the scene of the fatal accident. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo
“There are no initial indications alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision,” said Pohl.
Southbound lanes of San Jacinto Avenue were temporarily closed while deputies conducted the accident investigation. The road was reopened a few hours later.
Pohl took the opportunity to remind citizens to follow the rules of the road, cross the street using marked cross walks or intersections and obey signs and signals.
“Pedestrians should make eye contact with drivers as they approach and never assume a driver sees you,” said Pohl. “Drivers are encouraged to slow down and look out for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions such as night or in bad weather.”
Anyone with information about this collision or who witnessed the deadly accident is encouraged to contact Deputy Cortez or Deputy Cox at the San Jacinto Police Station’s Traffic Division at (951) 537-6411. Callers can refer to incident file number I171220012 and can remain anonymous.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be updated as it becomes available.
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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.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
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.
So sorry this young man lost his life. Condolences go out to his loved ones. Hope he became an angel.
Thank you!!! He was an amazing man!!! My heart is broken and flooded with tears!!!
His family is a very close friend of mine and I cannot believe his body was left uncovered and exposed to the media and world the way it was! How disturbing my heart breaks for you and I love you!
He was my nephew.. my love and knight in shining armor
For 6 hours they left him uncovered and exposed for others to see. No cares of how we as his immediate family will feel..
Not only that they tried to console the driver by trying to say it’s ok he’s just a hoodlum not even knowing…My son’s story or caring way to go…san Jacinto police you wonder why your town is falling apart….
That is so wrong for them to say ” don’t worry he’s just a hoodlum ” what is wrong with people ? That isn’t okay.
I am so sorry about the loss of Derrick when he lived in Monmouth Maine he played football for me. He will always be one of my boys.he was a great kid always with a joke and a smile. Till I see you again rest in peace love Momma Sharon
This is the first time i saw this. Wow that was so wrong for them to say that about him. It doesn’t matter what they think. They see so much and have no feelings unless its one of there own. Heartless. Im so sorry . Prayers to you and family.
I’m surprised more pedestrians are not hit on Florida from Sanderson to State..Jay walkers always crossing streets an expecting all cars to stop immediately..I know traffic lights are far apart but your life is worth more then crossing street anywhere you please..it’s sad how people don’t respect their life anymore..I’m sorry this young man lost his..sad day…
You don’t know that he did anything wrong!