Menifee Woman Killed In Fiery Crash That Sparked Brush Fire

MENIFEE, CA — A 65-year-old woman was killed a fiery wreck that sparked a brush fire in Menifee on Thursday.

The crash was reported just before 6 p.m. at the intersection of Brigs Road and Gardner Lane, according to the Menifee Police Department.

The victim, only identified as a Menifee woman, was driving a 2018 Kia Sportage when the vehicle veered out of control and crashed into an embankment, according to department spokesman Chase Coburn.

Officers arriving on the scene found the woman trapped inside the vehicle. Since the Kia was fully engulfed in flames, the first responding officers were unable to rescue her and she died of her injuries, Coburn said.

The car fire sparked a brief brush fire, but Cal Fire arrived and quickly extinguished it. The blaze burned in a north direction up a hillside toward Garbani Road, Coburn said, adding that no structures or residences were affected.

The department's Traffic Unit is investigating the incident.

During the crash, authorities believe that the woman may have experienced a medical emergency that caused her to lose control of her vehicle and crash into the embankment.

"As a result of the crash, the vehicle caught fire," Coburn said, adding that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash.

Anyone who saw the incident or has additional information is asked
to contact Officer Gonzalez with the Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit at 951-723-1634, or the Traffic Unit at 951-723-1500.