53-year-old Hemet resident struck and killed while walking across Lyon Ave. identified

HEMET — Officials have identified a man killed when he was struck by a pickup truck Tuesday, Oct. 31. The fatal accident happened when a man, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol, stepped in front of a vehicle near the intersection of Lyon and Florida Avenues in the City of Hemet.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials identified Robert Orrell, 53, of Hemet, as the man killed in the accident.

According to a coroner’s release, Orrell was pronounced dead at Riverside University Health System at 9:58 p.m., about one hour after he was struck.

Hemet Police and Fire personnel responded to the traffic collision on the 200 block of Lyon Avenue about about 9:04 p.m., after other motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the accident, Hemet Police Sergeant Dan Reinbolt explained in a written press release after the accident.

When officials arrived on scene they found a 2005 Dodge pickup truck that had collided with a pedestrian who was later identified as Orrell.

“The pedestrian was seriously injured and was transported by ambulance to a local trauma center where he succumbed to his injuries,” said Reinbolt.

The driver of the pickup truck was not injured and reportedly remained at the scene of the fatal collision and was cooperating with officials investigating the accident.

During their investigation, officers determined the driver of the truck was traveling southbound on Lyon Avenue at about 25 to 30 miles per hour, according to Renibolt.

Orrell was walking near the middle of Lyon Avenue and had crossed the roadway at least twice.

One witness reported to officials that Orrell, who was wearing dark-colored clothing, may have been talking to another person on the east side of Lyon Avenue and was walking back and forth across the roadway.

He was struck when he walked in front of the pickup.

The driver of the truck is not suspected of driving under the influence; however, “evidence located at the collision scene indicates alcohol may have played a role with regard to the pedestrian,” said Reinbolt.

Lyon Avenue was closed between Florida and Acacia Avenues for about two hours while officers conducted their investigation.

Hemet PD’s investigation into the fatal accident is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the collision and has not provided a statement to law enforcement officials is encouraged to contact Hemet PD 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.