Wildomar man, 24, dead after fiery wreck leaves car dangling from I-15 overpass
WILDOMAR, Calif. — A driver who was left trapped inside the burning and mangled wreckage of his vehicle later died from his extensive injuries after an early morning, solo-vehicle wreck in Wildomar Saturday, Feb. 27.
Due to the vehicle’s precarious position and difficulty securing it, firefighters spent several hours working to extricate the victim after the accident, which happened at the Olive St Underpass of Interstate 15.
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California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene around 2:45 a.m., after receiving reports of the crash.
When officials arrived they found the vehicle on its side, partway down a steep embankment, and hung up on a chain-link fence below the bridge.
Firefighters work desperately to access the critically injured driver of a car who was left trapped inside his vehicle as it dangled from the Olive underpass of I-15 in Wildomar. Cal Fire photo
Although the fire was quickly extinguished, more than an hour later Cal Fire reported from the scene that due to the precarious position of the wrecked vehicle firefighters were having trouble securing the vehicle so they could begin to extricate the critically injured driver.
“Crews are unable to secure the vehicle to start extricating the trapped person,” Cal Fire reported from the scene; adding that a heavy-duty tow truck had been requested and was headed to the scene to assist in securing the vehicle.
The wrecker arrived around 4 a.m., and Cal Fire updated that “resources have started working on securing the vehicle”, adding, “Extensive extrication is needed.”
Despite the dangerous and precarious position of the victim’s vehicle, firefighters risk their lives while using the Jaws of Life to cut the man free from his car. Cal Fire photo
Another update shortly before 5 a.m. indicated that the critically injured victim had been pulled from the vehicle. He was then transported by ground ambulance to nearby Inland Valley Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials have since identified the victim as 24-year-old, Rene Leduff Jr., of Murrieta. A coroner’s release indicated Leduff was pronounced deceased at 5:16 a.m.
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After learning of Leduff’s passing, Cal State University Fullerton issued a statement via social media announcing the death of the man they referred to as one of the school’s recent graduates.
“Rene was an active board member with HSSA and an enthusiastic student,” the post read; adding, “He was also a poet, a gifted photographer, and worked part-time as a model.”
California Highway Patrol – Temecula is continuing to investigate the cause of the fatal crash and officials have not yet released any further details regarding their ongoing investigation.
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Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
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.
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