HEMET: Two drivers killed in fiery, early morning, head-on collision
HEMET — Two people died in a fiery, two-vehicle, head-on crash, Friday, Sept. 29. The deadly, early morning wreck happened on Stetson Avenue, between Warren Road and Cawston Avenue near Hemet-Ryan Airport, in Hemet.
Two people were killed and at least one vehicle burst into flames after a two-vehicle, head-on collision on Stetson Avenue, Sept. 29. Will Whelan/Hemet Valley incidents photo
City of Hemet Fire and Police officials were dispatched to the scene of the fatal collision about 4:49 a.m., after several motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the accident, Hemet Police Lieutenant Glen Brock explained in a written press release after the deadly wreck.
When officials arrived at the scene they found one of the vehicles fully engulfed in flames. Vehicle parts and debris were strewn across the roadway, blocking both directions of travel.
“The collision killed both drivers and both were pronounced dead at the scene,” said Brock. Neither of the victims have been identified, pending notification of their families.
There were no passengers in either vehicle, according to Brock.
Based on the circumstances, Hemet PD Traffic Team investigators responded to the scene and assumed the investigation into the fatal collision.
During their investigation, officials determined the driver of a Dodge was traveling about 55 to 60 mph, eastbound on Stetson Avenue, east of Warren Road. At the same time, a Toyota was traveling westbound on Stetson Avenue about 50 to 55 mph.
As the vehicles approached each other, the Dodge drifted into the westbound lane of traffic, at which time it collided head-on with the Toyota, causing one of the cars to burst into flames.
“It is not known what caused the driver to drift into oncoming traffic, and the investigation is ongoing,” Brock explained.
During their investigation, officials called for the temporary, full closure of Stetson Avenue between Warren Road and Cawston Avenue.
The roadway remained closed for about four hours and was re-opened about 9 a.m.
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Eddie George/Hemet News Video
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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, 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 as well as 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.
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 27 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 14 grandchildren.