Teen Killed In I-215 Murrieta Rollover, DUI Suspected: CHP

TEMECULA, CA — A woman is facing several felony charges after crashing on Interstate 215 in Murrieta on Wednesday while driving under the influence of alcohol, the California Highway Patrol reports. The CHP says 39-year-old Terrina Edwards of Temecula was behind the wheel of a 1998 Toyota 4Runner when she lost control and rolled the vehicle. Her teenage son was ejected and killed in the wreck.

The Riverside County coroner's office says 14-year-old Rico Edwards died at the scene, just minutes after the wreck.

The crash happened around 8:35 p.m. on the southbound side of I-215 near Los Alamos Road, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

"For reasons which are under investigation, [Terrina Edwards] lost control of [the 4Runner], causing it to roll over numerous times within the southbound traffic lanes," Lassig said in a news release. "[Her] right front male juvenile passenger was not wearing a seatbelt. The male passenger was ejected ... onto the southbound traffic lanes where he suffered fatal injuries."

Another person in the vehicle, a 16-year-old girl, was sitting in the backseat and wearing a seatbelt, Lassig said. She had minor injuries.

The driver suffered major injures, according to the CHP.

"[Terrina Edwards] was determined to have been driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage," Lassig said. "[She] was placed under arrest for felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter, and child endangerment."

As of Thursday morning, Edwards remained hospitalized but is expected to be booked at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Facility in Murrieta upon release, according to Lassig.

"The CHP would like to remind all motorists to always wear your seatbelt," Lassig said. "Drivers of motor vehicles, parents and caregivers are responsible to ensure that all minors are always properly restrained in the age appropriate safety belt system. DUI's are 100 percent avoidable, if you drink, don't drive."

Following the crash, all lanes of the freeway were stopped for a few hours. Initial reports from the scene indicated that a big rig may have been involved in the crash, but the CHP says it was later determined to be a solo-vehicle crash.