CANYON LAKE: DUI suspected in fatal 3-vehicle crash
CANYON LAKE — Drug impairment is believed to be a contributing factor in a three-vehicle traffic collision that killed one person and injured three others, Thursday, Nov. 2. The fatal, DUI-related accident happened at the intersection of Railroad Canyon Road and Canyon Lake Drive South in Canyon Lake.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Canyon Lake Police and Menifee Police Stations and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the intersection at 6:28 p.m., regarding reports of a multiple-vehicle traffic collision.
Fourteen firefighters from three engine companies and one truck company responded to the scene of the accident, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Public Information Officer April Newman explained in an incident report.
Deputies arrived on scene within minutes, along with personnel from and Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Lamb explained in a written press release after the accident.
“The first arriving Battalion Chief reported a three-vehicle traffic collision, with moderate to major damage,” said Newman. Officials found two different drivers were trapped inside their wrecked vehicles and firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” to perform dual cut and rescue operations.
Four victims were eventually transported to area hospitals; two with major injuries and two with minor injuries. “One of the drivers was later pronounced deceased at the hospital,” Lamb explained.
The victim’s name has not been released, pending notification of the the person’s family.
Based on the circumstances, the Perris Station’s Traffic Team responded to the location and assumed the investigation.
During their initial investigation, Traffic Team members determined one of the involved vehicles had been driving westbound on Railroad Canyon “at a high rate of speed” approaching the intersection of Canyon Lake South, according to Lamb.
“The driver did not slow down and struck several vehicles who were stopped for the red light at the intersection,” said Lamb. “At this time, drugs appear to be a factor in the collision.”
The investigation into the deadly crash is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information about this investigation or who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Deputy Grimm of the Perris Station Traffic Team at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number CN173060011 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
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.
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.
Prayers for everyone involved in this accident and also for their families. Condolences to the family of the still unknown fatality victim. May god be with you all to help get through this sad tragic event.
After all this time we’ve yet to find a name with the coroner office. How come? I mean did someone die or not? Why the big secret???? I’ve read witnesses say the driver was driving a big white truck. They charged someone driving a grey little truck. Witnesses say not three cars but 5 cars. So was big white truck that didn’t stop but was hit and run the one who is at fault and other guy is getting bad rap? And FYI. there’s a huge difference between someone with drugs in their system and a person under the influence of drugs. Do YOU want to be charged FOR DUI WHEN YOU WERENT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS., That party from Saturday night, or that rave you went to comes back to bite you in the butt when you’re in an accident Sunday night. And you hadn’t partied at all that day. I’m following this case because there’s many interesting facts I just gotta see how it goes.