2 People Killed In Winchester Crash Were Victims Of DUI Driver: CHP

WINCHESTER, CA — The identities of two people killed in a crash late Wednesday morning in Winchester were identified by the coroner's bureau, and the California Highway Patrol announced Thursday that a big rig driver, who was allegedly DUI, caused the fatal wreck.

Israel Bermudez, 25, of Buena Park, and Paloma Casares, 32, of Hemet were pronounced dead at the scene of the four-vehicle pileup at Domenigoni Parkway and Leon Road. A GoFundMe page established for Casares states she was a mother and that she and Bermudez were siblings.

The 11:40 a.m. crash involved an International box truck, BMW X3, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Durango, according to Officer Jason Montez of the California Highway Patrol.

Seconds before the crash, all the vehicles — except the International — were stopped at a traffic light on eastbound Domenigoni Parkway at Leon Road. The Durango was in the #1 lane while the BMW and Silverado were in the #3 lane, with the BMW in front, according to Montez's report.

The International driver came up behind the Silverado at a speed that prompted the Chevy driver to move left "to avoid being struck," according to the CHP report.

The International driver smashed into the Silverado's right rear before directly rear-ending the BMW.

The International then crashed into a light pole, sheering it at its base, before smashing into a fire hydrant.

The BMW was sent into a ditch by the crash impact, which killed Casares, who was at the wheel, and Bermudez, who was seated behind her. Another passenger inside the BMW, a 31-year-old Beaumont man, survived the wreck and was taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to the CHP.

The Silverado driver was also sent to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Though the Dodge was hit by crash debris, the vehicle's two occupants escaped injury, according to the CHP.

The International driver, Delwyn Dewion Randle, 39, of Westminster, was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of drugs and booked into Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. He is expected to face more serious charges in coming days as a result of the crash deaths, according to the CHP. He has no documented convictions in Riverside County.

Approximately 50 gallons of oil and diesel spilled onto the road during the crash. Hazmat crews were summoned and eastbound Domenigoni Parkway was closed for an extended period Wednesday, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported.

The CHP is continuing to investigate the crash cause.