Woman Was Not Wearing Seatbelt In Fatal 15 Freeway Crash: CHP

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A 74-year-old woman has died following a crash on Interstate 15 near the Lake Elsinore-Wildomar boundary, and Monday afternoon the California Highway Patrol released details about the fatal freeway incident.

The solo-vehicle crash was reported just before 2 p.m. Sunday on the southbound side of the freeway, about 1.5 miles south of Diamond Drive.

Maria Martinez Lomeli of Compton was in the rear passenger seat of a 2004 Kia Sorrento, not wearing a seatbelt. She was ejected when the car's 71-year-old driver lost control and went into the center median, causing the vehicle to overturn, according to the CHP.

Martinez Lomeli was transported to Inland Valley Hospital in Wildomar and was pronounced dead about 40 minutes after the wreck, according to the coroner's office.

The driver and his front-seat passenger, a 66-year-old woman, were wearing seatbelts. The two Compton residents were sent to Inland Valley Hospital with major injuries, according to the CHP.

"The CHP would like to remind the motoring public to always wear a seatbelt," CHP Officer Mike Lassig said. "Wearing a seatbelt properly can help reduce the risk of injuries and death."

The crash cause remains under investigation by the CHP and no arrests were announced.