DUI suspected in fatal Perris crash

PERRIS — Authorities say drunk driving is suspected after a fatal, two-vehicle crash in Perris early Saturday morning, Oct. 26. The deadly collision happened on Perris Blvd. near Avocado Ave.

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Deputies and other emergency personnel responded to the scene at 2:08 a.m., after receiving reports of a traffic collision, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Marshall reported after the deadly accident.

When officials arrived they found two wrecked vehicles, described as a Toyota Camry and Range Rover, with multiple victims injured in the crash.

“The driver of the Camry sustained major injuries and died at the scene,” Marshall explained.

“The driver of the Range Rover sustained minor injuries,” Marshall continued; saying, “Passengers in both vehicles sustained multiple injuries and were transported to a local hospital.”

Officials have not yet provided any updates regarding the nature or extent of the other victims’ injuries, which one witness described as major.

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

During their preliminary, on-scene investigation deputies determined the driver of the Toyota, who has not yet been publicly identified, was traveling southbound on Perris Blvd. just before the collision.

For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota driver crossed over into oncoming traffic and collided with the Range Rover, which had been heading northbound on Perris Blvd.

During their investigation, deputies called for the temporary closure of Perris Blvd. at Avocado Ave. The roadway was re-opened several hours later.

Although Marshall said alcohol appeared to be factor in this collision, he did not specify which of the two drivers was suspected of being under the influence at the time of the deadly crash.

Anyone with further information about this investigation or who witnessed this collision and has not yet been interviewed is encouraged to call Deputy Kiebach at the Perris Sheriff’s Station at (951) 210-1074. Callers can refer to incident file number PE192990014 and can remain anonymous.

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

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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.