UPDATED: RIVERSIDE: 72-year-old Moreno Valley resident killed in suspected DUI crash ID’d

UPDATED: Monday, Oct. 30, 12:15 a.m.

RIVERSIDE — Officials have identified a man who died in a two vehicle, head-on collision, Saturday, Oct. 28. The early morning crash happened on Alessandro Boulevard east of Gem Lane in Riverside.

After the deadly wreck, a Riverside Police official stated driving under the influence was suspected as a contributing factor in the crash.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials later identified Juan Rios, 72, of Moreno Valley as the victim killed in the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision at 4:54 a.m., about 45 minutes after the fatal crash.

The investigation into the cause of the deadly collision is active and ongoing.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: DUI suspected after one killed, three injured in head-on crash

RIVERSIDE — An elderly Moreno Valley resident died and three other people were injured in a two vehicle, head-on collision, Saturday, Oct. 28. The early morning crash happened on Alessandro Boulevard east of Gem Lane in Riverside.

Officials believe the driver who caused the collision was driving under the influence, according to a Riverside PD official.

Riverside Police and Fire personnel were dispatched to the scene of the wreck at 4:09 a.m., after emergency dispatchers received several 911 calls reporting the head-on traffic collision. Callers advised dispatchers there were victims trapped inside both of the vehicles, both of which sustained major front-end damage.

Emergency first responders arrived within minutes of the dispatched call and found the mangled wreckages of the two vehicles, which were described as a white, 2012 Nissan full-size van and a black, 2009 Kia Sorento.

Firefighters confirmed there were victims trapped inside the van and SUV and used the “Jaws of Life” to free the victims from both vehicles.

About 45 minutes after the crash, while firefighters were still working to free the trapped and injured occupants, the driver of the Nissan succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim’s identity was not released, pending notification of his family.

Based on the circumstances, Riverside PD’s Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene to investigate the cause of the deadly crash.

During their investigation officers determined the Kia, which was being driven by a 26-year-old, Perris resident with a 22-year-old Moreno Valley resident as a passenger, was heading eastbound on Alessandro Boulevard when it struck the center median at Gem Lane.

After hitting the center median, the Kia crossed into the westbound lanes of Alessandro Boulevard, where it smashed head-on into the Nissan, which was being driven by a 72-year-old driver. A 66-year-old passenger was also inside the van.

After being freed from the damaged vehicles, the driver of the Kia and both passengers from the vehicles were transported to an area hospital. Their injuries were non life threatening.

According to police officials, drug impairment is suspected to have been a factor in the collision.

While officers investigated the cause of the fatal crash, Alessandro Boulevard was closed in both directions. Officials re-opened the road about five hours after the accident was reported.

Riverside PD’s investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation or who witnessed the deadly collision is urged to call Riverside Police Traffic Detective B. Jones at (951) 826-8722. Callers can remain anonymous.

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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.