Hemet woman, 66, killed in crash involving mobility scooter ID’d

September 16, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Friday, Sept. 18, 2:39 p.m., With coroner’s release of information.

Originally Published: Wednesday Sept. 16, 9:37 p.m.

HEMET, Calif. — Authorities investigating the cause of a deadly collision involving a passenger vehicle and three-wheeled mobility scooter say the victim was riding near the center of a darkened Hemet street when she was fatally struck late Tuesday evening, Sept. 15.

The fatal accident happened on Menlo Ave. near the San Jacinto Valley Cemetery, between Santa Fe and San Jacinto streets, according to Hemet Police Department.

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City of Hemet Police and Fire Departments, along with Riverside County sheriff’s deputies and other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the scene just after 10 p.m., after receiving reports of a traffic collision involving a car and a personal mobility scooter, Hemet Police Sgt. Dan Reinbolt later said of the fatal accident.

When officials arrived they found a critically injured woman down in the roadway. The victim’s mobility scooter was destroyed and parts of the electric vehicle were scattered across the roadway.

Emergency personnel rushed to the scene of a collision that killed a 66-year-old woman who officers later learned was struck while riding down the middle of Menlo Ave. on a three-wheeled personal mobility scooter. Tina Rivas/Hemet Valley Incidents photo

A silver 1997 Honda Civic involved in the crash, along with numerous other vehicles, were stopped near the site of the collision and witnesses and good Samaritans who had tried to provide aid and comfort to the critically injured woman were also at the scene.

Despite life saving efforts the victim succumbed to her injuries and passed away at the scene, according to Reinbolt.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials have since identified the victim as Constance Markel Good, 66, of Hemet. A coroner’s release indicated Good was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at 10:06 p.m.

The driver of the vehicle, a 36-year-old Hemet man, remained on scene and was cooperative with officers during their subsequent investigation. He was not injured according to witnesses.

Hemet PD’s investigation revealed the victim was riding a three-wheeled electric mobility scooter eastbound on Menlo Ave., when the Honda approached her from behind.

“The woman was riding near the center of the eastbound lane, during darkness, with no lights illuminated on her mobility scooter,” described Reinbolt. “The driver of the Honda … did not see (the victim) until it was too late, and a collision occurred.”

“It is not clear why the woman was in the roadway,” the Sgt. said; adding, “The investigation is ongoing.”

Officers survey the scene of Tuesday evening’s deadly crash that left parts of the destroyed electric mobility scooter scattered across Menlo Ave. Tina Rivas/Hemet Valley Incidents photo

During their initial on-scene investigation, officers closed Menlo Ave., between San Jacinto and Santa Fe streets. The roadway remained closed for about four hours while the investigation was completed.

Anyone with further information regarding this investigation or who witnessed the deadly crash and has not yet provided a statement to authorities is encouraged to contact Hemet PD at (951) 765-2400.

Click any image to open full-size gallery.

Tina Rivas/Hemet Valley Incidents photos

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 49, 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 30 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 18 grandchildren.