UPDATED: Family mourning Lake Elsinore man’s death after solo-vehicle rollover, ejection

UPDATED: Monday, Nov. 5, 4:30 p.m., With GoFundMe link and other information

CORONA — Family members, friends, and others, who knew and loved the man they all called “TJ” are mourning today after a single-vehicle rollover crash and ejection that killed Jerome “JT” Ereth II, 29, of Lake Elsinore shortly before midnight last night.

The Sunday, Nov. 4, accident that left JT dead and another man injured happened on Temescal Canyon Rd., between Pulsar Ct. and Dawson Creek Rd.

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CHP and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene just after 9:30 p.m., after receiving reports of a rollover crash with a victim ejected.

When officials arrived they found a wrecked silver Toyota Corolla and two men suffering from major injuries, one of whom was thrown about 100 feet from the car when it rolled over, Riverside County Fire Department later reported.

The two victims were rushed by ground ambulances to area hospital where Ereth later passed away from his injuries. A coroner’s release indicated he succumbed to his injuries at Riverside Community Hospital about two hours after the crash and he was pronounced deceased at 11:29 p.m. No updates regarding the second victim were immediately available.

While officials worked at the scene they called for the temporary closure of Temescal Canyon Rd. in both directions, and traffic was diverted away from the scene of the crash onto other nearby roads.

The wrecked car was later towed from the scene and the roadway was reopened at the conclusion of CHP’s initial on-scene investigation, which is ongoing.

In the wake of Ereth’s death, his brother Jason created a GoFundMe account to help raise funds for funeral expenses and other costs. The fundraiser had raised $1,360 toward the sated $3,000 goal within its first few hours.

“JT was a beautiful soul,” long-time friend Lanora Lowery said after learning of Ereth’s tragic passing. “He was more than just a friend he was family. It was a true honor knowing him and anyone would tell you the same thing.”

Family members have requested privacy at this time but say a Celebration of Life will be held Nov. 9, at Pins ‘n Pockets on Mission Trail in Lake Elsinore. 

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year 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 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 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.