Murrieta man’s second DUI kills Menifee man, 26
MENIFEE, Calif. — Authorities have arrested an allegedly intoxicated man whose license was already suspended for a previous DUI conviction, after the Murrieta resident plowed into the back of another vehicle last night, Tuesday, June 16
Although the suspect was uninjured in the collision, the tremendous impact caused a three-vehicle, chain reaction crash that killed a 26-year-old Menifee man, who was the passenger in one of the vehicles. The collision also injured three other people – including the alleged suspect’s own seven-month-old infant son.
The intoxicated driver, since identified as Bryant Martinez Colin, 24, of Murrieta, was arrested after the crash, which happened on the southbound Interstate 215, south of Newport Rd.
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California Highway Patrol officers, Cal Fire-Riverside firefighters, and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene just after 8:30 p.m., after receiving reports of a major-injury, three-vehicle crash, CHP Officer Mike Lassig later said of the deadly collision.
When officials arrived they found five people involved in the crash, including Colin, who Lassig said caused the collision and was later determined to be intoxicated.
Four of the victims, including Colin’s infant son were all found to be injured and all four were rushed by ground ambulances to area hospitals.
Despite life-saving efforts one of the victims, since identified as Nyrik Anderson, 26, of Menifee, succumbed to his injuries and passed away after being transported to Inland Valley Regional Medical Center.
A coroner’s release has since indicated Anderson was pronounced deceased about two hours after the collision, at 10:17 p.m.
During their subsequent investigation, CHP determined Colin was driving a 2014 Toyota Tacoma southbound on Interstate 215, south of Newport Rd., according to Lassig; who explained he was traveling in the number one lane at a high rate of speed.
As Colin approached a line of vehicles that were slowing down due to heavy traffic, the allegedly intoxicated man failed to brake and plowed into the back of a 2004 Honda Accord being driven by a 22-year-old Menifee woman.
The high-speed impact then propelled the Accord into the back of a 2017 Ford Fusion being driven by a 36-year-old Temecula man.
Both the driver of the Honda and her right front passenger, since identified as Nyrik, were rushed by AMR ground ambulance to Inland Valley Medical Center; where Nyrik later passed away.
Quintero described the driver’s injuries as moderate.
Colin’s seven-month-old son was transported from the scene by AMR ground ambulance to Rancho Springs Medical Center. His injuries have since been described as minor.
No information about the other driver’s injuries were immediately available and none of the surviving victims have been publicly identified.
While interviewing Colin, CHP determined he was under the influence and arrested him.
He was then transported to Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta where he was booked on suspicion of first-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing injuries, and causing willful harm to a child. All are felony charges. He was also booked for driving on a suspended license while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.
Online jail records indicate Colin remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at Murrieta’s Southwest Justice Center June 19.
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Riverside County Superior Court records indicate Colin has been ticketed numerous times in Riverside County for charges such as speeding, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance, driving on a suspended license, and other issues.
His most recent arrest in Riverside County happened August, 2015, when he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. He pleaded guilty a few months later, at which time he was placed on 36 months of summary probation.
He was also ordered to pay fines, fees, and penalties totaling $2,699.82, ordered to attend a three-month, first-time DUI offender program, and required to enroll in and complete a MADD victim impact panel session.
Records indicate he complied with all the terms of his probation, paid his fines and fees, and was released from probation in December, 2018.
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Last night’s deadly crash was eerily similar to another recent DUI-related, three-vehicle, chain-reaction crash that happened in Winchester last month.
That fatal collision, which happened at the intersection of Winchester and Thompson roads and was caused by 34-year-old, Temecula resident, Joshua Asimovic Morris, killed Amy Litteral, 43, of Winchester. In a tragic and ironic twist, Litteral worked as a substance abuse counselor in Temecula.
At the time of May’s crash, Morris already two prior Riverside County DUI arrests and Superior Court records indicate he had failed to appear in court for either of his earlier DUI’s and had warrants related to both incidents.
Morris also remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail or bond and his court case is ongoing.
After this most recent deadly, DUI-related collision, Lassig used the opportunity to remind area residents about the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
“Driving under the influence is 100% avoidable …(and)… it’s a tragedy to lose a life over something so simple to avoid,” Lassig explained; while admonishing citizens, “If you drink or consume anything that may impair you, don’t drive.”
“There are many options to chose from such as a ride share, a designated driver, public transportation, a hotel room near the event or just stay home,” the officer continued.
CHP’s investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed against Colin.
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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 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 16 grandchildren.
Such BS. The POS drunk driver always walks away with barely a scratch. Where as everyone around them is at risk. Even his own baby. What a loser. My condolences to the victims friends/family.
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