Asleep at the wheel, driver plows head-on into other car, killing Moreno Valley woman, 57
MORENO VALLEY, Calif., — Authorities say a driver who fell asleep at the wheel crashed head-on into another vehicle, causing fatal injuries to the other driver in Moreno Valley early yesterday morning, Thursday, Nov. 4.
The fatal collision, which happened near the intersection of Heacock Street and Revere Place, forced the hours-long closure of Heacock Street, between Iris and Gentian avenues, according to officials.
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Deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station, Cal Fire – Riverside and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene around 5:43 a.m. after receiving the report of a major-injury traffic collision, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Robert Grmusha has since reported.
When officials arrived they found two involved vehicles, since described as a red Kia Optima and Silver Toyota Camry. Vehicle parts and debris were scattered across the roadway, forcing the immediate closure of the road.
“The driver of the Kia was found to have moderate injuries and was transported to a local area hospital for medical treatment. However, it was discovered the Toyota’s driver had suffered severe, life-threatening injuries, and was declared deceased at the scene after being extricated by Cal Fire personnel,” Grmusha explained.
The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has since identified Maria Kritzberger, 57, of Moreno Valley, as the woman killed in the collision. A Coroner’s release indicated she was pronounced deceased at 6:28 a.m.
Based on the circumstances, members of the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Traffic Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
Information obtained during their investigation led deputies to determine that the Kia was traveling southbound on Heacock Street, when the driver fell asleep. The sleeping driver’s Kia then veered into the northbound lanes, subsequently colliding head-on with the Toyota as it traveled northbound towards Gentian Avenue.
The collision resulted in major damage to the Toyota, trapping the driver inside until Cal Fire personnel arrived on-scene to perform the extrication.
There were no passengers inside of either vehicle at the time of the collision, and no other vehicles were identified as being involved, according to Grmusha; who said, “At this time, alcohol and/or drugs are not considered a factor in the collision.”
Due to the collision investigation and the need for extensive cleanup, a temporary closure of Heacock Street, between Iris Avenue and Gentian Avenue, was required. The roadway has since been reopened.
The Sheriff’s investigation is active and ongoing and no further details have been released.
Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to call Deputy Andrew Galbreath of the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 486-6811 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (951) 776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number MV213080061 and can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 50, 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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