Menifee Teen Suspected Of Street Racing, Causing Injury Crash

MORENO VALLEY, CA — A 19-year-old man allegedly racing another motorist through the streets of Moreno Valley plowed into a pickup, severely injuring the other motorist, authorities said Thursday.

Tyler Michael Hanna of Menifee was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside Wednesday night on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs resulting in great bodily injury and engaging in a speed contest, both felonies.

Hanna posted a $50,000 bond and was released from custody during predawn hours Thursday.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, about 7 p.m. Wednesday, the suspect was at the wheel of a 2006 Ford 500 going westbound on Alessandro Boulevard, approaching Elsworth Street, when he allegedly accelerated well in excess of the speed limit while competing with a dark- colored sedan.

Sgt. Robert Grmusha said that the driver of a 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup was eastbound on Alessandro and initiated a northbound turn onto Elsworth as the two racers reached the intersection.

"The Ford collided with the Toyota," Grmusha said. "The Ford and Toyota became disabled as a result of the collision."

The motorist driving the dark-colored sedan fled the location, the sergeant said. No license plate information or other details about the vehicle were available.

Paramedics and deputies reached the scene within a few minutes and found the pickup driver with major injuries. The victim, whose identity was not disclosed, was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center for treatment. Hanna suffered minor injuries and did require hospitalization.

Grmusha said that the victim was in stable condition on Thursday and expected to pull through.

Hanna was taken into custody without incident.

Background information on the suspect was unavailable.