Although using crosswalk, Hemet pedestrian was crossing against red light when fatally struck

November 16, 2021 Trevor Montgomery

HEMET, Calif., — Authorities say a local man was killed while crossing a Hemet street at the intersection of Stetson Avenue and Sanderson Avenue early Monday, Nov. 15.

Officials have since said that although the victim was using a marked crosswalk when he was fatally struck, he was crossing against a red light and was at fault in the accident that led to his passing.

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City of Hemet police and fire personnel were dispatched to the scene around 4:39 a.m., after receiving reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and passenger vehicle, Hemet PD has since said of the deadly accident.

When officials arrived they found a male victim down in the roadway. The victim sustained major traumatic injuries and despite life-saving measures he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the scene.

Yesterday’s early morning accident forced the six-hour closure of Stetson Avenue in both directions, from Sanderson Avenue to Page Plaza Place. Tina Rivas/Hemet Crime Society photos

The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has since identified Franco Saavedra, 32, of Hemet, as the man killed in the collision. A Coroner’s release indicated he was pronounced deceased by paramedics at 5:50 a.m.

The driver of the involved vehicle, a 23-year-old Hemet man, remained on scene and was cooperating with the investigation.

Traffic investigators who responded and assumed the investigation learned that Saavedra was crossing Stetson Avenue and traveling north from the south/west corner of the intersection.

“The pedestrian was within the crosswalk; however, evidence shows the man crossed against the red upraised hand symbol,” Hemet PD described; adding that he was struck by a 2019 Chrysler 300 that had been traveling westbound on Stetson Avenue with a green signal when he struck Saavedra.

“There was no indication the driver was DUI and toxicology on the pedestrian will be completed by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner,” said HPD.

SEE ALSO: Southwest RivCo area traffic enforcement operation yields 214 citations in just 4 hours

While officials worked at the scene they called for the closure of Stetson Avenue in both directions, from Sanderson Avenue to Page Plaza Place. The roadway remained closed for about six hours but has since been reopened.

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision and has not yet provided a statement is encouraged to contact Hemet PD Traffic Investigators at (951) 765-3725. Callers can refer to incident file number 2021-03539 and can remain anonymous.

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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.