HEMET: Man killed crossing Florida Ave. identified

HEMET — Authorities are investigating a fatal vehicle versus pedestrian accident that happened Wednesday evening, Oct. 4. The deadly crash occurred when a man, who was possibly intoxicated according to police officials, attempted to cross mid-block on Florida Avenue, between Meridian and Stanford Streets, in Hemet. The pedestrian was not using a marked cross walk when he was struck.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s officials later identified the victim as Jon Troupe, 49, of Hemet. Troupe died about six and one-half hours after being rushed to Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley. He was pronounced dead by emergency room staff 2:34 a.m.

City of Hemet Police and Fire, Riverside County Sheriff’s and California Highway Patrol officials responded to the traffic collision about 8:04 p.m., after other motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the accident.

When officials arrived they located a man down in the roadway and a 2012 Nissan Versa nearby, according to police and coroner’s officials. The driver of the Nissan that struck Troupe was uninjured and remained at the scene, Hemet Police Sergeant Dan Reinbolt explained in a written press release after the deadly crash.

Officials quickly determined Troupe had sustained major, traumatic injuries and he was transported by ground ambulance to RUHS’s trauma center for further evaluation and treatment. He later succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital.

Based on the circumstances, Hemet PD Traffic Team members responded to the scene and assumed the investigation into the deadly collision.

During their investigation, Traffic Team investigators determined just before the accident the driver of the Nissan was traveling about 40 mph, driving westbound on Florida Avenue. As the driver continued past Meridian Street, Troupe began crossing Florida Avenue.

“The pedestrian was crossing Florida Avenue mid-block from the south toward the north,” Reinbolt explained. “The pedestrian was not in a cross walk and was only about 500 feet away from the marked cross walk at Meridian Street.”

The Nissan struck Troupe after the pedestrian attempted to cross in front of the moving vehicle.

After the collision, the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigating officers. Although officials said “DUI is not suspected” on the driver’s part, “evidence located at the collision scene indicates alcohol may have played a role with regard to the pedestrian,” said Reinbolt.

During their investigation, officials called for the temporary closure of westbound Florida Avenue at Meridian Street. Officers reopened the roadway about two hours later.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident or who witnessed the deadly crash is encouraged to contact Hemet Police Department at (951) 765-2400. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

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.