UPDATED: Hemet man, 27, killed, wife & another inured, in JV crash-now called hit and run

UPDATED: May 2, 11 p.m., With additional information and clarification from Sheriff’s Department

JURUPA VALLEY — A 27-year-old, Hemet resident died after a two-vehicle, hit and run traffic collision that hospitalized the man’s wife as well as another male passenger inside the couple’s vehicle, early Saturday evening, Apr. 28.

Officials investigating the deadly wreck say they are following up on “possible suspect information” regarding a red Honda Civic. The alleged hit and run suspect reportedly fled the scene after colliding with the victim’s vehicle, causing the fatal accident on the 2700 block of Rubidoux Boulevard, at the intersection of 28th Street, in Jurupa Valley.

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Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s officials later identified Carlos Javier Ayala as the man killed in the collision. According to a coroner’s release, Ayala was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident by paramedics at 5:21 p.m., just four minutes after the call was initially reported and dispatched.

Emergency first responders rushed to the scene at 5:17 p.m., after receiving reports of a fatal-injury, hit and run, traffic collision with a person fatally ejected from one of the vehicles, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Raemie Wood wrote in a May 1, press release.

Eleven firefighters from two engine companies and one truck company responded to the accident, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire spokesperson Tawny Cabral explained in an incident report.

Deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Jurupa Valley Police Station and several American Medical Response ambulance crews as well as an AMR supervisor also responded to the scene of the deadly wreck.

When officials arrived, they found a wrecked black Honda coupe that had spun out, jumped a curb and smashed into a concrete barrier along the sidewalk. Vehicle parts, debris and personal items were strewn across the roadway and throughout the entire intersection.

The red Honda had already fled the scene and a third vehicle, originally reported to have been involved in the wreck, was later determined to be witnesses who stopped and attempted to provide medical aid and comfort to the surviving occupants from the black coupe.

The black Honda sustained major damage, trapping its two, front and rear seat passengers. The driver of the coupe had been ejected from the vehicle and immediately confirmed deceased, according to officials.

While paramedics treated the trapped and injured victims, firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” to cut away the destroyed Honda so rescuers could remove the seriously injured woman from the front passenger’s seat and male occupant from the rear seat of the crumpled and barely recognizable car.

“The two other occupants inside of the black Honda were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment for injuries sustained during the collision,” said Wood.

Officials have not publicly identified Ayala’s wife or the passenger from the rear seat of the Honda.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the male, rear-seat passenger remains hospitalized in serious condition with broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken pelvis, possible back injuries and an injured foot. He reportedly has no memory of the accident and has not been able to provide much information regarding the crash or even why he was in the Honda or who he had been with in the first place.

No updated information regarding Ayala’s wife’s current medical condition was immediately available, but her injuries were previously reported as non-life-threatening.

Based on the circumstances, members of Jurupa Valley PD’s Traffic Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

“The preliminary investigation determined the two vehicles involved were traveling southbound on Rubidoux Blvd. when the suspect vehicle, a Red Honda Civic, unexpectedly swerved toward the black Honda Civic, striking the rear driver’s side of the black Honda,” Wood explained.

“This caused the vehicle to spin out of control, cross over into northbound lanes of traffic, strike a concrete barrier on the sidewalk, and come to rest in the northbound lanes of traffic and sidewalk of Rubidoux Blvd,” said Wood.

Wood did not specify if the red Honda’s impact was believed intentional or accidental. The sergeant also did not specify how fast the vehicles were traveling at the time of the collision and subsequent deadly wreck.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drug impairment were contributing factors in the fatal collision at this time, according to Wood.

During their investigations, officials called for the temporary closure of Rubidoux Blvd., and for the remainder of their initial on-scene investigation, motorists were diverted to other area streets. Rubidoux Community Services District also responded to the accident scene to assist, according to fire officials.

Jurupa Valley PD’s investigation into the cause of the fatal wreck is active and ongoing.

Anyone with additional information about this investigation, who knows the whereabouts of the red Honda Civic that reportedly fled the scene or its driver, or who may witnessed the collision or what preceded it is encouraged to immediately contact Deputy Robles at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number JV181180109 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and 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.