UPDATE: Victims, 88 & 81, ID’d after deadly Menifee wreck

UPDATED: Wednesday, Oct. 2, With Coroner’s release of information.

MENIFEE — An elderly driver and passenger were killed after crashing into a Menifee light pole at the intersection of Highway 74 and Briggs Rd. yesterday morning, Tuesday, Oct. 1. No other vehicles were involved in the deadly crash, according to officials.

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Emergency personnel were first alerted to yesterday morning’s accident around 11:50 a.m., after receiving reports of a sedan that had plowed head-on into a traffic signal pole at the intersection, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Marshall, reported after the deadly crash.

When officials arrived at the scene they found a white vehicle with heavy front-end damage against a signal pole. 

Two Menifee residents were killed when their vehicle smashed head-on into a traffic signal pole at the intersection of Hwy 74 and Briggs Rd. Becky Butts photo

The driver, who has since been identified as Frances Sanders, 81, of Menifee sustained major injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Marshall. A passenger from the vehicle, who has been identified as Myles Prevost, 88, sustained major injuries and was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Center where he passed away a short time later.

Coroner’s releases indicated Sanders was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash at 12:10 p.m., and that Prevost was pronounced deceased at IVMC at 12:55 p.m.

Based on the circumstances, members of Perris Sheriff Station’s Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to the location and assumed the investigation.

Deputies who investigated the double fatal crash determined that Sanders was traveling westbound on State Hwy 74 when, for an unknown reason, she veered to the right and struck a light pole at the intersection at Briggs Rd. 

Although there was no indication alcohol and/or drug intoxication were contributing factors in the deadly crash, according to Marshall, officials have not ruled out a medical crisis or mechanical failure as possible causes in the accident.

During their investigation, deputies called for the temporary closure of the intersection, which was re-opened shortly before 2:30 p.m., just as students from nearby Heritage High School were being released for the day.

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision and has not provided a statement to authorities is encouraged to contact Deputy Bryan at the Perris Sheriff’s Station at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number ME192740053 and can remain anonymous.

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

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Vicky Flores photos

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, 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 or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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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