Speed cited in fatal Jurupa Valley crash that ejected one, killed another

JURUPA VALLEY — One person was killed and another ejected after a solo-vehicle, high-speed crash in Jurupa Valley yesterday afternoon, Saturday, July 20. The deadly rollover crash, which knocked down a light pole and left a car barely recognizable, happened on Limonite Ave. near Avenida Juan Bautista.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials have since identified Raphael Woodard, 34, of Riverside, as the victim killed in the rollover traffic collision. A coroner’s release indicated the man passed away at 1:14 p.m.

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Deputies from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station, along with Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters and AMR medics, were dispatched to the fatal accident around 12:45 p.m., after receiving reports of a small car that slammed into a traffic light pole, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Gutierrez later reported.

911 callers reported one victim was ejected from the vehicle when it struck the pole and that another person was critically injured and trapped inside the mangled wreckage of the car.

Firefighters work to cut a deceased driver from a car that struck a light pole yesterday afternoon. William Hayes/OC Hawk photo

When officials arrived at the scene they found a Toyota Camry that was wrapped around a city light pole, which came crashing down across Limonite Ave, leaving the westbound lanes of travel blocked. Numerous witnesses and good Samaritans were at the scene trying to render aid and comfort to the two victims.

Paramedics immediately began evaluating and treating the two victims; however the driver, later identified as Woodard, was unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts, the driver succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene and firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” to eventually cut the deceased victim from his destroyed car.

“The occupant who was ejected was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries,” explained Gutierrez.

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

During their preliminary investigation deputies determined the Toyota was traveling westbound on Limonite Ave. “at a high rate of speed when the vehicle lost control as it was switching lanes,” according to Gutierrez.

As the vehicle careened out of control, it slammed into the light pole and the force of the impact knocked the light pole into the westbound lanes.

A Toyota was left unrecognizable after yeserday’s deadly crash that killed one person and ejected another. William Hayes/OC Hawk photo

Although their investigation is ongoing, Gutierrez said intoxication did not appear to be a contributing factor in the fatal crash.

Anyone with additional information regarding the investigation or who witnessed the fatal crash is encouraged to call Deputy Lewis at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number JV192010111 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit an anonymous tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

Persons who wish to report criminal activity and wish to remain anonymous can call crime stoppers at 800-78-CRIME (800-782-7463) or 800-47-DRUGS (800-473-7847).  You can also leave anonymous information at www.riversidesheriff.org/tipline or www.wetip.com.

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William Hayes/OC Hawk photos

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 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.

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