MORENO VALLEY: Two pedestrians critically injured after struck crossing road

MORENO VALLEY — A sheriff’s deputy witnessed a major-injury, vehicle versus pedestrian, traffic collision involving two victims who were struck by a car while crossing a busy street, Friday, Sept. 1.  The early-morning accident happened at the intersection of Perris Boulevard and Dracaea Avenue in Moreno Valley.

Moreno Valley Police and Fire officials responded to the intersection about 5:19 a.m., after a deputy from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Moreno Valley Police Station saw the collision that sent two pedestrians to an area hospital with major, traumatic injuries.

Both pedestrians sustained “multiple, traumatic injuries” after the accident, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant William Stens explained in a written press release after the initial accident investigation.

After witnessing the crash, the deputy “immediately summoned medical aid and secured the scene,” said Stens, who explained, “The two pedestrians…were transported to a local hospital where they are listed in critical condition.”

Based on the circumstances, members of Moreno Valley PD’s Traffic Reconstruction Team responded and assumed the collision investigation.

During their preliminary investigation, deputies determined the two pedestrians were struck while crossing Perris Boulevard. They were struck by a motorist on his way to work, according to officials.

Although the pedestrians were using an established cross walk, deputies learned the pair was crossing “against a red light when they were struck,” Stens explained.

While investigating the cause of the crash, officials called for the temporary closure of all lanes of Dracaea Avenue as well as the northbound lanes of Perris Boulevard, to ensure the safety of police and fire officials at the scene.

The roadways remained closed until about 10 a.m., according to officials.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact the Moreno Valley Traffic Division at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV172440053 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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.