DUI alleged after Moreno Valley collision that left one dead, another behind bars
UPDATED: Monday, Feb. 28, 9:36 a.m., With Coroner’s release of information.
Originally Published: Monday, Feb. 28, 9:08 a.m.
MORENO VALLEY, Calif., — Authorities say one driver was killed and another was arrested for DUI-related charges after a fatal two-vehicle collision in Moreno Valley late Sunday afternoon, Feb. 27. The deadly crash occurred at the intersection of Indian Street and Delphinium Avenue, according to officials.
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Deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station, along with Cal Fire – Riverside and other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the scene around 4:52 p.m. after receiving reports of a major-injury traffic collision with possible entrapment, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Chad Craig has since said of the accident and subsequent arrest.
When officials arrived they found two involved vehicles, described as a black, Dodge Ram truck and a gold, Toyota Solana sedan.
Firefighters confirmed finding the driver of the Toyota trapped, critically injured, and unresponsive inside her wrecked vehicle and began a cut and rescue operation.
After being freed from the Toyota, the victim was rushed to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley where despite lifesaving efforts she succumbed to their injuries and passed away.
The Riverside County Sheriff – Coroner’s Office has since identified Maria Mejia, 58, of Moreno Valley, as the driver killed in the collision. A Coroner’s release indicated she was pronounced deceased at 5:25 p.m.
Based on the circumstances, members of the Moreno Valley Station’s Traffic Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
During their subsequent investigation, officials determined that just before the collision the Dodge had been traveling northbound on Indian Street, while the Toyota had been traveling westbound on Delphinium Avenue.
“As both vehicles entered the intersection, the front of the Dodge collided into the driver’s side of the Toyota,” Craig explained. “The impact of the collision caused the Toyota to careen across the roadway and come to rest north of the intersection.”
Craig did not specify which of the two vehicles is suspected of having caused the deadly crash.
While interviewing the driver of the Dodge, since identified as 28-year-old Juan Daniel De Paz Guadarrama, Traffic Team deputies determined he was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him at the scene.
He was later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of driving under the influence resulting in bodily injury.
Online jail records indicate he remains in custody, where he is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail or bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall of Justice on March 2.
While officials worked at the scene they called for the temporary closure of the intersection, but the roadway has since been reopened.
Anyone who witnessed this collision or has any information about this investigation is encouraged to call Deputy Kevin Seguin of the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 486-6700 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (951) 776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number MV220580210 and can remain anonymous.
Persons who wish to report criminal activity and wish to remain anonymous can call crime stoppers at 800-78-CRIME (800-782-7463) or 800-47-DRUGS (800-473-7847). You can also leave anonymous information on the department’s Crime Tips Online Form.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 51, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and operates Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS), which act as stringer-news providers for other mainstream media organizations throughout the two regions they serve.
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.