Motorist dies in fiery SR-91 wreck near Corona after disabled vehicle struck from behind
RIVERSIDE, Calif., — Authorities say a motorist was killed in a fiery wreck when their vehicle was struck from behind after becoming disabled while traveling on the 91 Freeway in Riverside Wednesday evening, Feb. 9.
The deadly accident, which happened in the westbound lanes of traffic west of Green River Road, was the first of two fatal collisions to occur on the 91 Freeway overnight. The second fatality occurred about fifteen miles away near Ivy Street just a few hours later, according to officials.
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California Highway Patrol – Riverside officers were initially alerted to a stalled vehicle that was blocking the number one-fast lane just before 10 p.m., CHP Officer Juan Quintero reported today.
“Moments later, they learned the stalled vehicle had been struck by another vehicle,” Quintero explained.
When officials arrived at the scene, they found two involved vehicles, including a Toyota Camry that was fully engulfed in flames and a Toyota Highlander. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage in the collision and the Toyota was completely destroyed by the blaze that erupted after the crash.
After extinguishing the Camry fire, firefighters determined the driver and sole occupant had perished in the collision. The victim’s name has not yet been released, pending notification of the person’s family.
The driver and passenger of the Highlander were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their unspecified
injuries according to Quintero, who said both are continuing to cooperate with CHP.
SEE RELATED: Local man fatally ejected after SR-91 rollover crash into guardrail in Riverside
CHP has not yet ruled out intoxication as a possible contributing factor in the crash and their investigation is active and ongoing.
Anyone who may have witnessed this collision who has not yet provided a statement is encouraged to contact Officer B. Seel of the California Highway Patrol’s Accident Investigation Unit at (951) 637-8000.
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Johnny Lopez/Lone Wolf News and Media/OnScene TV photos above, video below.
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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.