UPDATE: Killed by hit and run driver, LE man ID’d

UPDATED: Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2:45 a.m.

LAKE ELSINORE — Officials have identified a man who was killed by a hit and run driver near the intersection of Hwy 74 and Cambern Ave. in Lake Elsinore. The victim was fatally struck and left in the roadway late Sunday night, Aug. 12

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials identified Gardell Cowart II, 24, of Lake Elsinore as the man killed by a driver who fled the scene after the deadly collision. According to a coroner’s release, Cowart died at the scene of the fatal accident and was pronounced deceased at 11:41 p.m., about six minutes after the accident was reported.

Lake Elsinore PD’s investigation is active and ongoing and officials have not released any other details.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who witnessed the deadly collision is asked to call Deputy Petersen of the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number L182240098 and can remain anonymous.

 

Original story: LAKE ELSINORE: LE man, 25, killed by hit and run driver

LAKE ELSINORE — A 25-year-old, Lake Elsinore resident died after being struck by a driver who then fled the scene late Sunday evening, Aug. 12. The fatal hit and run happened near the intersection of Hwy 74 and Cambern Ave. in Lake Elsinore.

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Deputies assigned to the Lake Elsinore Police Station and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the intersection shortly after 11:30 p.m., after receiving reports of a traffic collision involving a pedestrian, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Steve Jimenez explained the morning after the fatal collision.

When officials arrived they found the victim who had sustained major injuries and was down in the roadway near the highway’s curb. The victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Officials have not released the victim’s name or gender, pending further investigation and notification of the victim’s family. However witnesses have said the victim was a male believed to be in his 20’s.

Based on the circumstances, Lake Elsinore PD’s Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

While deputies conducted their hit and run investigation they called for the temporary closure of Hwy 74 between Cambern and Dexter Avenues. The road remained closed until the completion of the initial on-scene investigation and was re-opened about five hours later.

Lake Elsinore PD’s investigation is active and ongoing and officials have not released any other details.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who witnessed the deadly collision is asked to call Deputy Petersen of the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number L182240098 and can remain anonymous.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of 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.