Public's Help Sought After Beaumont Man Found Dead Near Wreckage

BEAUMONT, CA — Little is known about Daniel Franco's final moments, but the California Highway Patrol is hoping members of the public have information that will help provide answers.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau, Franco, a 25-year-old Beaumont resident, was found dead Monday afternoon down an embankment along southbound state Route 79, just north of Gilman Springs Road, in San Jacinto. The young man was the victim of an apparent crash.

It's unknown how long Franco was down in the ditch. His date of injury and time of death are uncertain, according to the coroner.

An investigation into the incident is being handled by the California Highway Patrol, and Officer Jason Montez provided additional details. He said that around 4:30 p.m. Monday, a truck driver heading south on SR-79 called to report vehicle wreckage about 200 feet down the highway's embankment.

When officers responded, they found an overturned black GMC Yukon and Franco's lifeless body nearby. It appeared he was ejected during the crash, Montez said.

There were no skid marks on the highway and no evidence of a crash on the road, Montez said.

CHP investigators are working with Franco's family to learn where he might have been going and when he was last heard from.

Anyone with information that might help investigators piece together details of what happened to Franco are asked to contact CHP Officer Hendrickson or Montez at the San Gorgonio Pass Area CHP office: 951-769-2000.