DUI Blamed In Fatal I-15 Lake Elsinore Crash, Victim ID Released

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A crash early Monday morning on Interstate 15 in Lake Elsinore resulted in a fatality, and drunken driving is to blame, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Once released from the hospital, Tudda Teanna Tran, 21, of Lake Elsinore is expected to be booked into county jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, the CHP said. Her passenger, Melissa Lopez, 22, of Lake Elsinore, died in the crash.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at 3:19 a.m. on the southbound side of the freeway at state Route 74.

Tran was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Cruz in the #3 lane in excess of 70 mph and did not slow in time to see a Ford flatbed tow-truck ahead that was moving at about 45 mph, the CHP said.

Tran's car slammed into the back of the Ford, killing Lopez.

Tran was sent to Wildomar's Inland Valley Hospital with serious injuries.

The tow-truck driver, a 52-year-old Wildomar man, was unhurt, according to the CHP.

No other injuries were reported.

"The CHP would like to remind the motoring public to always designate a sober driver," CHP Officer Mike Lassig said. "DUIs are 100% preventable; if you drink or ingest anything that may impair you, don't drive."

The CHP Temecula Area office is continuing to investigate the incident. Witnesses are urged to contact the office at 951-466-4300.