HEMET: Reckless driver arrested after suspected DUI-related collision
HEMET — A woman suspected of driving under the influence was arrested after plowing into another vehicle earlier this evening. The DUI-related crash happened just minutes after 911 callers first reported that the woman was driving recklessly, speeding and running stop signs.
A woman who was allegedly speeding and running stop signs is arrested after crashing into another car. Timothy Franzese/Public Safety Incidents photo
Official radio traffic around 4:15 p.m. indicated Hemet PD was notified regarding a woman in a brown Lexus who was running stop signs in the area of Florida and Lyon Avenues. About three minutes later and a half mile away – while Hemet PD was still responding to the initial reckless driving reports – 911 callers reported that the Lexus plowed into the back of another car at the intersection of N. Lyon Street and W. Oakland Avenue.
When officials arrived at the wreck they found the brown Lexus and a red Ford Mustang pulled over to the side of the road. The Lexus’ front-end and Mustang’s rear-end both sustained moderate damage.
While paramedics evaluated both drivers and determined neither were injured in the collision, Hemet PD motor-officers investigated the cause of the crash. Officers determined the woman was traveling northbound on N. Lyon Avenue approaching W. Oakland Street when she smashed into the Mustang, which had been stopped at the intersection.
It was not immediately known how fast the woman was traveling when she slammed into the back of the Mustang; however, the posted speed limit along that stretch of Lyon Avenue is 25 mph.
While interviewing the woman, who has not yet been identified publicly, officers noticed she was unsteady on her feet and appeared intoxicated. Based on their observations, officers had her perform a series of field sobriety tests, which the driver cooperated with. At the conclusion of those tests, officers arrested the driver and she was later transported to Hemet Jail.
If found to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or prescription medication, she could be charged with driving under the influence. She could also be charged with DUI resulting in injury if the other driver is determined to have been injured in the collision.
Officials have not yet provided any details or information regarding the crash or subsequent arrest and their investigation is ongoing.
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Timothy Franzese/Public Safety Incidents 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.