UPDATED: Second victim dies after suspected DUI wreck in JV kills grandmother, 56, granddaughter, 8

UPDATED: Wednesday, June 5, 5:45 p.m.

ORIGINAL STORY AND PHOTOS BELOW.

JURUPA VALLEY — Family members of a grandmother killed while driving with her two young granddaughters have updated that one of the two grandchildren succumbed to her injuries and died at Loma Linda hospital. DUI is suspected as the cause of the deadly wreck that happened Sunday, May 27, at the intersection of Peralta Place and Limonite Avenue in Jurupa Valley.

Officials discuss the DUI-related accident that killed a 56-year-old grandmother and her 8-year-old granddaughter. William Hayes/OC Hawk News photo

Grief-stricken family members, already mourning the tragic loss of 56-year-old, Riverside resident, Anne Humpherys, announced the death of Humpherys’ 8-year-old granddaughter, Emily; who had been on life support since the crash.

Another of Humpherys’ granddaughters, identified by family members as 6-year-old Hannah who had been traveling with the two victims was initially hospitalized, but walked away uninjured.

Family of the two victims created a GoFundMe account and have managed to raise $35,940 toward the fundraiser’s stated $38,000 goal. The funds will be used for funeral services, medical bills, and recovery expenses, according to the family.

Sheriff’s officials who investigated the fatal crash have not released any further updates, information or details about the suspected drunk driver, who reportedly caused the wreck when she ran a red light and plowed into the victim’s vehicle. She was hospitalized after the crash, but her current condition is unknown.

Anne Humpherys, 56, and Emily, 8, were killed by a suspected DUI driver May 27.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Driving with her two grand children, Riverside woman killed by suspected drunk driver

JURUPA VALLEY — A woman reportedly driving with her two grandchildren was killed in a multi-vehicle wreck, early Sunday evening, May 27. The fatal accident, that injured both children as well as another woman, happened at the intersection of Peralta Place and Limonite Avenue, between Camino Real and Avenida Juan Bautista, in Jurupa Valley.

A deputy sheriff talks to a 6-year-old girl, keeping her calm, while paramedics perform life-saving measures on her grandmother and sister, May 27. William Hayes/OC Hawk News photo

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials later identified 56-year-old, Riverside resident, Anne Humpherys, as the woman killed in the crash. A coroner’s release indicated the victim died at Riverside Community Hospital about 45 minutes after the wreck and she was pronounced deceased by hospital staff at 6:22 p.m.

Deputies assigned to the Jurupa Valley Police Station and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene shortly after 5:30 p.m., Sheriff’s Sergeant Brian Gutierrez explained in a written press release. 911 callers reported a major injury traffic collision with multiple people trapped.

Fourteen firefighters from three engine companies and one truck company responded to the scene of the fatal accident, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire spokesperson Tawny Cabral explained in an incident report.

“The first arriving engine company reported three to four vehicles involved with four victims,” said Cabral.

Officials found a blue sedan and a silver SUV, both of which sustained major damage. “An adult female and two juveniles were trapped inside of the SUV,”  Gutierrez explained. No information about the other vehicles reportedly involved in the wreck was immediately available.

Firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” to perform a cut and rescue operation to free the three trapped victims and eventually extricated the trio – a grandmother and her two grand children – from the destroyed SUV.

Four victims were eventually transported by ground ambulances to area hospitals; “two with serious injuries, one with moderate injuries and one with minor injuries,” said Cabral.

Although officials have not specified the full nature or extent of the surviving victims’ injuries, one of the juveniles is listed in serious condition, according to Cabral.

Family and friends of the deceased – none of whom wanted to be identified publicly – later explained the seriously injured child is still “fighting for her life,” and that “the family needs prayers. Lots of prayers.”

Officials discuss the DUI-related accident that killed a 56-year-old grandmother and her 8-year-old granddaughter. William Hayes/OC Hawk News photo

Riverside resident Crystal Marie later said she came upon the wreck right after it happened, “before they shut everything down.”

“I can’t get the sight out of my head,” Marie explained. “My heart is breaking for this family.”

Christina Vodden, who explained on social media that she lives right off of that intersection,” lamented about area drivers who regularly speed or drive recklessly along Limonite Ave.

“I am always so slow to come off of Ave Juan Diaz,” said Vodden, while offering prayers for the involved families. “People don’t slow down at all.”

“People need to stop driving intoxicated,” Vodden continued. “With so many other means of transportation nowadays there is no excuse.”

Based on the circumstances, Jurupa Valley PD’s Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and is conducting a “full investigation” to determine the cause of the deadly wreck, according to Gutierrez.

During their investigation, deputies called for the temporary closure of Limonite Avenue, between Ave. Juan Bautista and Camino Real. The roadway remained closed for about four hours and was later re-opened to through traffic.

Drug and alcohol intoxication appeared to be contributing factors in the crash, according to a sheriff’s Tweet about the fatal crash, and Jurupa Valley PD’s investigation is active and ongoing. Officials did not specify which of the involved drivers was suspected of being under the influence or if anyone was arrested after the fatal collision.

Allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, a woman is prepared to be transported to an area hospital. William Hayes/OC Hawk News photo

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Petersen at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number JV181470122 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form or at WeTip.com.

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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 several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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 – soon to be 15 – grandchildren.