MURRIETA: 52-year-old Murrieta woman killed in two vehicle, rollover traffic collision

MURRIETA — A Murrieta woman died when her car was rear-ended, Thursday, Aug. 10. The other vehicle involved in the deadly crash overturned, ending up on its side. The fatal accident happened at Hancock Avenue and Las Brisas Road North in Murrieta.

Despite medical intervention, 52-year-old, Donna Montes, died after being flown to Loma Linda University Hospital in San Bernardino County for treatment.

Murrieta Police and Fire officials were dispatched to the scene of the accident at 8:49 a.m., after multiple people called 911 to report the rollover accident, Murrieta PD Traffic Sergeant Sandra O’Donnell explained in a written press release after the accident.

When police and fire officials arrived, they found a white BMW SUV on its right side, partially blocking northbound lanes. A wrecked, gray Saturn SUV was nearby.

Officials quickly determined both drivers were trapped inside their vehicles and required extrication. Firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” to cut the women from their vehicles before AMR medics transported both women to Inland Valley Hospital.

The driver of the Saturn, later identified as Montes, sustained major, traumatic injuries to her upper body, as well as serious internal injuries. After she was assessed by medical professionals at Inland Valley Hospital, doctors made the decision to have her life-flighted to Loma Linda, where she could receive advanced life-saving care.

Despite doctor’s efforts, Montes succumbed to her injuries and she died at the hospital. Because she died in San Bernardino County, the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office is handling the cause of death investigation, according to O’Donnell.

The 50-year-old female driver of the BMW, who was not identified, sustained minor injuries and was later released from Inland Valley Hospital.

Based on the circumstances, members of Murrieta PD’s Traffic Bureau responded to the accident scene and assumed the investigation.

Their preliminary investigation revealed the BMW and the Saturn were traveling northbound on Hancock Avenue just prior to the fatal collision. The crash occurred when the driver of the BMW failed to stop in time, just south of Las Brisas North, and plowed into the back of the Saturn.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation; however, officials have stated that neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be contributing factors in the crash.

The Murrieta PD Traffic Bureau has requested that anyone who witnessed the accident who has not provided a statement to authorities to contact O’Donnell at (951) 461-6369.

 

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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.