Speeding Teen Driver Strikes, Kills 2 Pedestrians In Riverside: Cops

RIVERSIDE, CA — Two male pedestrians were killed when they were struck by a speeding pickup in Riverside, authorities said Monday.

The crash was reported at 11:48 p.m. Sunday in the area of Van Buren Boulevard and Challen Avenue, said Riverside police Sgt. Emilio Angulo of the Traffic Bureau.

The victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names and ages were not released.

"The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2011 GMC, pickup truck, being driven by a 17-year-old male, Perris resident was traveling southbound Van Buren Boulevard at a high rate of speed, lost control and struck the two pedestrians," Angulo said. "The driver has been detained pending further investigation."

It is not known at this time whether drugs and/or alcohol use contributed to the crash, he said.
Officers shut down Van Buren Boulevard in both directions at Challen Avenue for several hours for the crash investigation.

Anyone with information about the crash was urged to contact Riverside Police Department Traffic Det. Ryan Mchugh at 951-826-8720 or RMchugh@riversideca.gov.