UPDATED: FRENCH VALLEY: Hemet man arrested for DUI after causing crash that killed Murrieta woman

UPDATE: Wednesday, Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m.

FRENCH VALLEY — Officials investigating a fatal, three-vehicle, traffic collision say they have arrested a 51-year-old, Hemet resident for causing a wreck that took the life of a 62-year-old Murrieta woman earlier today, Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The fatal crash happened Wednesday, Sept. 6, on Winchester Road near the intersection of Auld Road in French Valley.

According to a CHP report the man, identified as Christopher Barbara, was under the influence of alcohol when he caused the deadly crash that killed one person and injured two others.

Barbara sustained moderate injuries in the collision and was transported to Inland Valley Hospital where he was evaluated and treated for his injuries. Officials did not specify the nature or extent of his injuries.

“Barbara was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence and was subsequently booked at Southwest Detention Center,” CHP Officer Whelan explained in an incident report.

46-year-old, Brent Schmidt, also from Hemet, was inside Barbara’s 2002 Chevy Silverado at the time of the collision. He sustained moderate injuries and was transported to IVH for treatment. Officials did not specify if Schmidt was intoxicated when the collision occurred.

One other person, Markis Tokio, 25, of Vista, who had been driving a 2015 Dodge delivery van, was injured in the crash. He suffered unspecified, moderate injuries and was transported to IVH for further evaluation and treatment.

During their investigation, CHP officers determined Barbara was travelling southbound on SR-79, just north of Auld Road when, “for unknown reasons at this time,” he suddenly veered into the northbound lanes of traffic, “crossing over solid double yellow lines.”

Barbara swerved into the oncoming lanes of traffic directly into the path of an oncoming 2011 Toyota Rav 4. The Toyota was being driven by a 62-year-old, Murrieta resident who died in the crash. Officials have not released the name of the victim pending notification of her family.

The alleged suspect’s truck collided head on with the victim’s Toyota, at which time the Toyota overturned, into the path of the deliver van driven by Tokio.

Barbara’s truck also overturned, coming to rest on its roof.

Officials have not yet determined Barbara’s speed when he caused the deadly collision, which several witnesses from the scene claim was the result of the alleged drunk driver attempting to pass other, slower-moving vehicles.

Both north and southbound lanes were closed between Auld and Benton Roads, while CHP officials conducted their initial traffic collision investigation, which is ongoing.

This is a devloping news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

 

FRENCH VALLEY — One person was killed and at least three others were hospitalized this morning in a multiple-vehicle, rollover, traffic collision. The fatal crash happened Wednesday, Sept. 6, on Winchester Road near the intersection of Auld Road in French Valley.

California Highway Patrol and Murrieta police officers, Riverside County sheriff’s deputies, Cal Fire/Murrieta Fire Protection District firefighters and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene of the deadly wreck at 10:44 a.m., after several passing motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the accident.

Callers told emergency dispatchers one of the vehicles had overturned and that there were victims possibly trapped in two of the wrecked vehicles.

Eleven firefighters from two engine companies and one truck company responded to the fatal accident, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer Tawny Cabral explained in an incident report.

“The first arriving engine company reported three vehicles involved with four victims,” Cabral explained. When officials began arriving they found other motorists and witnesses attempting to provide aid and comfort to those injured in the crash.

Officials located a white pickup truck or SUV upside down on its roof and two other wrecked vehicles, described by witnesses as a white Apria Healthcare van and a car that was left unrecognizable after the fatal wreck.

Vehicle parts and debris were strewn across the roadway and all lanes of traffic on Winchester Road were blocked; forcing CHP to issue a SigAlert in the affected area.

Despite medical intervention and life-saving efforts, one of the victims succumbed to their injures and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not released the name of the victim pending notification of the person’s family.

“Three victims with moderate injuries were transported to area hospitals by ground ambulance(s),” said Cabral.

Due to the Sig Alert, “Winchester Road is closed both north and southbound between Benton and Auld roads,” CHP Public Information Officer Mike Lassig said.

Due to the closure of Winchester Road, officials were diverting traffic between Auld and Benton Roads. The road was closed for several hours, but was reopened shortly before 3 p.m., after officials completed their initial investigation and the destroyed vehicles were removed from the scene.

CHP is investigating the deadly wreck and their investigation is active and ongoing.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more 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, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries 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.