21-Year-Old Woman Killed In Head-On Hemet Crash

HEMET, CA — A 21-year-old motorist was killed in a head-on crash in Hemet when her car drifted into opposing traffic and slammed into another sedan, authorities said Monday.

Stephanie Morales of San Jacinto was fatally injured just after 9 p.m. Sunday on Mountain Avenue, less than a quarter-mile west of Soboba Street, according to the Hemet Police Department.

The agency said Morales was at the wheel of her Kia Forte, traveling westbound at an unconfirmed speed, when "she drifted into oncoming lanes."

A man driving a Hyundai Ioniq going eastbound on Mountain spotted the Kia coming directly at him and attempted to swerve, but the two sedans impacted in eastbound lanes, police said.

Hemet Fire Department personnel reached the location within minutes and discovered Morales gravely injured. She was taken to Hemet Global Medical Center, where she died less than an hour later.

Investigators said the motorist did not appear to be wearing a safety restraint while driving.

The driver and passenger of the Hyundai, whose identities were not disclosed, suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment.

They're expected to make full recoveries.

Mountain was shut down for six hours while a preliminary investigation was conducted.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the police Traffic Bureau at 951-765-2400.