SR-91 racing leads to two-vehicle fiery wreck that killed one

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Authorities this morning reported that two men involved in a “speed contest” while traveling on the 91 Freeway in Riverside led to a fiery wreck that killed one of the drivers early Tuesday morning, April 6.

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CHP-Riverside officers and other emergency responders were dispatched to the eastbound 91 Freeway, west of Buchanan Street, around 12:45 a.m. after receiving reports of a fiery wreck involving two vehicles, CHP Officer Juan Quintero has since reported.

When officials arrived they found two wrecked vehicles, described as a gray, Nissan, Altima, and a white, BMW, 550. The Nissan was found in a parking lot adjacent the highway, while the BMW was found fully engulfed in flames against a tree off the side of the roadway.

Although the driver of the Nissan, Marcos Calderon, 25, of Riverside, was able to self-extricate from his wrecked car, the other driver was not able to get out of his burning car and perished at the scene, according to Quintero.

The victim who died at the scene has only been identified as a 19-year-old man from Corona. His name will be released after his family has been notified of his passing.

During their preliminary investigation officers determined Calderon and the deceased man had been engaged in a speed contest and traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph just before the deadly collision occurred, according to Quintero.

“As they approached traffic, both Calderon and (the other driver) lost control of their respective vehicles and the two veered off the freeway in a southerly direction,” Quintero described.

As the Corona victim’s vehicle careened off the freeway, it slammed into a tree and immediately burst into flames. “The victim, who was the sole occupant of his vehicle, was unable to self-extricate and succumbed to his injuries,” said Quintero.

Calderon, a felon on state parole who remained at the scene, was later determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently arrested. He was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, engaging in a speed contest resulting in death, DUI resulting in death, and violation of parole. 

Online jail records indicate he remains in custody, where he is being held without bail.

Any witnesses who may have observed this deadly crash are encouraged to call the California Highway Patrol’s Accident Investigation Unit at (951) 637-8000. Callers can remain anonymous.

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

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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 (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.