2 Menifee Residents Killed In Separate Weekend Crashes

MENIFEE, CA — Menifee roads turned deadly over the weekend after two people were killed in separate vehicle crashes.

Judith Armijo, 75, of Menifee died at the scene following a wreck at 9:51 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Watson and Menifee roads, according to authorities.

She was killed in a side-impact collision at the intersection, where she apparently pulled in front of a motorist who had the right-of-way, authorities said Monday.

Menifee police Sgt. Matthew Bloch said Armijo was at the wheel of a Hyundai sedan going eastbound on Watson when she came to a stop at the intersection, where only east- and westbound traffic is required to stop, while south- and northbound motorists have no yield or stop signs with which to comply.

"The preliminary investigation revealed that a Volkswagen was traveling southbound on Menifee Road, approaching the intersection with Watson," Bloch said. "(After) the driver of the Hyundai came to a stop ... she proceeded into the intersection, where her vehicle was broadsided by the southbound Volkswagen."

The VW slammed into the driver's side of Armijo's vehicle at an undetermined speed, according to the police spokesman.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location minutes later and pronounced Armijo dead at the scene.

The VW driver, whose name was not disclosed, was taken to a regional trauma center for treatment of what the fire department said were minor injuries.

"Neither alcohol or drugs appear to be factors in the collision," the sergeant said.

During the crash investigation, Menifee police closed Menifee Road, between Calle De Caballos and Citation Avenue. Watson Road, between Winner Circle and Cumming Avenue, was also closed.

On Saturday, a motorcyclist died in a crash with a pickup truck in Menifee.

The crash was reported at 4:17 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Bundy Canyon and Wright roads, according to the Menifee Police Department.

Officers found that a Harley-Davidson motorcycle struck the driver's side of a Ford pickup. The motorcyclist was knocked off and suffered major injuries. Menifee Police Department officers, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department paramedics and personnel from American Medical Response began lifesaving efforts on the motorcyclist, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was identified as 55-year-old Canon Squires of Menifee, according to the Riverside County coroner's office.

Investigators found that both the motorcycle and pickup were westbound on Bundy Canyon Road and the Ford slowed for a left turn. The motorcyclist attempted to pass slowing traffic on the opposite side of the roadway when the driver of the Ford began its turn, and the motorcycle struck the driver's side of the Ford.

The driver of the Ford remained on scene and cooperated with officers.

Officers believe neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in the crash.

Anyone with additional information on the collisions was encouraged to call the Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit at 951-723-1690.

—City News Service contributed to this report.