UPDATE #3: HEMET: DUI suspected in Domenigoni Pkwy crash that killed Menifee man
UPDATED: Saturday, Sept. 2, 1 p.m.
One of the vehicles involved in the crash, a Toyota sedan, was almost unrecognizable after the collision. Miguel Shannon/Epicenter News photo
HEMET — City of Hemet police officials say DUI is suspected a one of the primary contributing factors in an accident that killed a Menifee man, Thursday evening, Aug, 31.
Police officials have not released the identity of the suspected DUI driver, who was hospitalized with unknown injuries after the crash.
Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s official have identified the victim killed in Thursday’s fatal, multiple-vehicle traffic collision as Jose Manahan, 51, of Menifee. According to a coroner’s release, Manahan was pronounced dead by hospital staff Hemet Valley Medical Center at 7:49 p.m., about 50 minutes after the accident happened.
During their investigation, officials determined a “a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado collided into a 2014 Toyota Prius in the west bound lanes of Domenigoni Parkway at Sanderson Avenue,” Hemet Police Sergeant Dan Reinbolt explained in a written press release.
SEE RELATED: UPDATE: Man who killed other driver was drunk, traveling over 100 mph
“The investigation is ongoing; however, evidence located at the collision scene suggests alcohol intoxication may have been a factor in the cause of this collision,” said Reinbolt, referring to numerous empty beer cans spread across the intersection and roadway, as well as other evidence collected at the scene.
During their investigation a blood nurse responded to the scene to draw blood for toxicology tests, which will be used to determined the driver’s level of intoxication at the time of the crash.
Domenigoni Parkway was closed for west bound traffic between Searl Parkway and Warren Road for about six hours while the investigation was conducted. East bound lanes on Domenigoni Parkway remained open during the hours-long investigation.
Anyone with information about the fatal crash or who witnessed the accident and has not yet spoken to a traffic investigator is encouraged to contact Hemet PD at (951) 765-2400. Callers can remain anonymous.
(See photo gallery and videos below.)
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.
UPDATED: Thursday, Aug. 31 10 p.m.
Based on evidence collected at the scene of the deadly crash, officials suspect DUI as a contributing factor in the fatal wreck. Authorities requested a nurse to draw blood from one of the involved drivers, who has not yet been identified. Miguel Shannon/Epicenter News photo
HEMET — Multiple sources close to the ongoing traffic investigation from a crash that happened earlier this evening have reported that one person has died from injuries sustained in the three-vehicle collision.
The fatal crash happened at the intersection of Sanderson Avenue and Domenigoni Parkway in Hemet.
Sources have also confirmed that numerous empty beer cans were found strewn across the intersection and down Domenigoni Road; however, it was not immediately known if the cans came from any of the vehicles involved in the collision or had any relation to the accident.
At the time of this report, alcohol and/or drug intoxication had not been ruled out as possible contributing factors to the accident; however, early in their investigation, officials designated the area a crime scene, cordoning off a large section with crime scene tape.
Other than a social media release advising area residents to steer clear of the affected area, authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the accident. Their investigation is active and ongoing and as of 10 p.m., officials were still at the scene of the fatal wreck.
Anyone with information about the fatal crash or who witnessed the accident and has not yet spoken to a traffic investigator is encouraged to contact Hemet PD at (951) 765-2400. Callers can remain anonymous.
(See photo gallery and videos below.)
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Early in their investigation, officials designated the area a crime scene, cordoning off a large section with crime scene tape. Miguel Shannon/Epicenter News photo
HEMET — Authorities are investigating a major-injury, multiple vehicle, rollover traffic accident that happened earlier this evening, Thursday, Aug 31. The accident occurred at the intersection of Sanderson Avenue and Domenigoni Parkway in the city of Hemet.
City of Hemet Police and Fire personnel were dispatched to the intersection about 7 p.m., after the City of Hemet’s emergency communications dispatch center was flooded with 911 calls from other drivers and witnesses who saw the accident.
The wreck left at least three people with injuries ranging from moderate to severe. According to authorities at the scene, one of the victims was considered to be in grave condition and was not expected to survive.
Official radio traffic at the time of the accident indicated 911 callers reported three vehicles involved in the collision, including a red Chevy truck, a dark-blue Toyota sedan, and a Mercury SUV. Callers told dispatchers one of the vehicles had flipped over and that at least one of the three drivers was trapped inside the mangled wreckage of their vehicle.
When police and fire officials arrived at the chaotic scene they found three vehicles with damage ranging from minor to major. Vehicle parts and debris were found strewn across the roadway and countless other vehicles were stopped and parked in the area around and surrounding the scene of the accident.
Numerous witnesses reported seeing empty beer cans spread across the road leading to one of the vehicles, however it was not known if alcohol played a part in the crash. Miguel Shannon/Epicenter News photo
Many citizens could be seen crowded in groups around the wrecked vehicles attempting to provide aid and comfort to those who had been involved in the crash. Some were crying and distraught. Others appeared stone-faced and disbelieving at the amount of damage sustained by at least one of the vehicles.
One group stood briefly in a small circle near the Toyota, holding hands and praying.
Paramedics immediately began treating the injured while firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” to extricate a driver from what remained of the blue Toyota, before American Medical Response medics transported the seriously injured driver to an area hospital. One official at the scene, who requested to remain anonymous, said the Toyota driver was transported in “critical” condition.
At least two other people were also transported by ground ambulance to area hospitals. Their conditions were unknown.
A Hemet Police Department social media release warned area residents of the crash and ongoing accident investigation.
Based on the circumstances, Hemet PD Traffic Investigators responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
During their investigation, officials called for the closure of westbound lanes of traffic on Domenigoni Parkway from Searl Parkway and on Sanderson Avenue from Mustang Way. Officials advised the closure would be for “an extended period of time,” and advised residents to avoid the area.
Numerous witnesses at the scene later reported on social media seeing a dozen or more empty beer cans spread across the intersection and down Domenigoni Road; however, it was not immediately known which vehicle the cans came from or if the cans came from any of the involved vehicles at all.
At the time of this report, alcohol and/or drug intoxication had not been ruled out as possible contributing factors to the accident; however, early in their investigation, officials designated the area a crime scene, cordoning off a large section with crime scene tape.
Anyone with information about the fatal crash or who witnessed the accident and has not yet spoken to a traffic investigator is encouraged to contact Hemet PD at (951) 765-2400. Callers can remain anonymous.
Click any image to open full-size gallery.
John Strangis video
Miguel Shannon/Epicenter News
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.
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, 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.
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 13 – soon to be 14 – grandchildren.
No victim identifications?
I just updated my report with the victim’s identification; however, no ID yet on the suspected drunk driver.
-TM
This is a good job you’re doing. I am counting on this reporting since I live in San Diego. The victim was one of my collaborators. We had a lively, loving phone conversation 3 hours before his demise.
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