UPDATED: MORENO VALLEY: No foul play suspected after charred body found after fiery wreck

UPDATE: Tuesday, Aug. 29, 9:30 p.m.

MORENO VALLEY — Despite public speculation about the charred remains of a body found inside a car discovered on fire in a field, police and fire officials investigating the incident determined the death was related to a solo-vehicle traffic collision.

The fiery, fatal crash happened Saturday, Aug. 26, in a field off of Old 215 Frontage Road and Day Street in Moreno Valley.

Firefighters with the Moreno Valley Fire Department responded to reports of a vehicle and brush fire at the location about 8:45 p.m., Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant James Rayls explained in a written press release after the conclusion of the Sheriff’s investigation.

“After further investigation it was determined there was no foul play involved and the vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle traffic collision,” said Rayls.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Moreno Valley police officials at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV172390026 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

MORENO VALLEY — Moreno Valley Police and Fire officials are conducting a death investigation after the charred remains of a body were found inside a burned out vehicle, Saturday, Aug. 26. The vehicle and body were found in a field off Old 215 Frontage Road and Day Street in Moreno Valley.

Firefighters with the Moreno Valley Fire Department responded to reports of a vehicle and brush fire at the location about 8:45 p.m. The first arriving engine company located a sedan fully engulfed by fire in the field, with flames extending into the surrounding vegetation.

Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire and were able to quickly contain the blaze to the vehicle and a small section of surrounding vegetation. After firefighters extinguished the fire, they discovered the burned body of a victim inside or near the charred sedan.

Deputies who had been summoned to the scene deemed the area a crime scene and cordoned off the area.

Based on the circumstances, investigators with the Moreno Valley Police Department and Moreno Valley Fire Department Arson investigators responded and assumed the investigation. Members of Moreno Valley PD’s Traffic Reconstruction Team also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

During the investigation, officials brought a large, mobile command center to the location and officials could be seen coming and going from the RV through the evening and into the next morning.

It was unknown if the vehicle fire was a result of a traffic accident or if the vehicle was intentionally set ablaze. Officials also did not state if the body was found inside or outside the burned sedan.

Both police and fire officials at the scene declined to comment, citing the investigation, which is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Moreno Valley police officials at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV172390026 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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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, The Valley Chronicle 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.