RIVERSIDE: One killed, one injured, in head-on crash into traffic pole – victim ID’d

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RIVERSIDE – Officials are investigating after a Riverside resident died when a car smashed head-on into a traffic signal pole May 19. The driver of the car suffered minor injuries in the deadly, single-vehicle crash that happened at the intersection of Van Buren Boulevard and King Avenue in an unincorporated area of Riverside.

The car was barely recognizable after the high-speed, front-end impact with a traffic signal pole in Riverside. John Strangis photo

Coroner’s officials later identified the victim as 21-year-old, Prince Deavon Armony Franky Ketcha.

Alcohol and/or drug intoxication have not yet been ruled out as contributing factors in the deadly crash, pending toxicology results, according to California Highway Patrol Sgt. Eugene Norris.

Riverside Fire and Police Departments responded to the early-morning accident about 12:45 a.m., after several other motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the crash.

When emergency first responders arrived, they found vehicle parts and debris strewn across the roadway.

They also found a newer, white Toyota Avalon with heavy front-end damage sitting in the middle of eastbound lanes of traffic on Van Buren Blvd.

The passenger from the wrecked vehicle, who was later identified as Ketcha, had sustained major, traumatic injuries and was clinging to life inside the mangled wreckage of the barely recognizable car.

AMR medics transported Ketcha to Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries less than one hour later and was pronounced dead by hospital staff. According to coroner’s officials, Ketcham died at 1:42 p.m.

CHP officials discuss the fatal crash. John Strangis photo

The driver of the car suffered minor injuries in the collision, according to Norris. He was treated at the scene before medics transported him to an area hospital. The full extent of his injuries were not known; however, he was seen walking around after the fatal wreck.

“The vehicle was traveling at an unknown speed when reasons unknown at this time it drifted to the right and hit a light standard at a high rate of speed,” said Norris.

Southern California Edison crews responded to the scene to assess the integrity of traffic pole the driver plowed into.

During their investigation, CHP officials called for the temporary closure of eastbound lanes of traffic on Van Buren Boulevard. The road remained closed for about 2 hours, until officials concluded their investigation.

The cause of the deadly wreck is under investigation.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as new information becomes available.

Click any image to open full-size gallery.

Officials rushed to the scene of the deadly wreck. John Strangis photo

The car was barely recognizable after the high-speed, front-end impact with a traffic signal pole in Riverside. John Strangis photo

The driver escaped with minor injuries; however, a passenger was killed from the impact. John Strangis photo

After side-swiping the traffic signal, the vehicle continued for some distance. John Strangis photo

The mangled wreckage of the car sits in the lanes of traffic on Van Buren Boulevard. John Strangis photo

An ambulance waits to transport the driver from the accident scene. John Strangis photo

Officials speak with witnesses to the deadly wreck. John Strangis photo

A concerned friend watches as the driver is loaded on to an ambulance. John Strangis photo

A CHP officer photographs and documents the scene of the fatal crash. John Strangis photo

The destroyed car sits on Van Buren Avenue near King St. John Strangis photo

Officials discuss the wreck that left one dead. John Strangis photo

The destroyed car was eventually impounded as evidence. John Strangis photo

John Strangis video

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.