19-Year-Old LA County Man Dies In Temecula Weekend Crash

TEMECULA, CA — A 19-year-old man was killed in a single vehicle rollover crash that occurred early Sunday morning in Temecula, the California Highway Patrol shared. Two others, both 19-year-old males, were also injured in the crash.

Preston Obeidin of Long Beach was identified by the Riverside County Coroner's Bureau after the bureau notified his next of kin.

Shortly before 7:30 a.m., Obeidin died at the scene of the collision, which occurred on the dirt shoulder of the northbound SR-79, about 1200 feet south of Anza Road in unincorporated Temecula, according to the coroner's report. He was driving a 1998 Toyota 4Runner, which crashed into a telephone pole and rolled over.

Obeidin was driving the 4Runner, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

"For reasons still under investigation, the driver traveled into the opposing lane of SR-79 South, overcorrected to the right, and lost control of the 4Runner," he said.

The truck then crashed into a telephone pole west of the roadway. The vehicle overturned on the dirt shoulder and came to rest on its roof.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department and CHP arrived at the scene to find Obeidin already deceased, a restrained front passenger who suffered minor injuries, and an unrestrained rear-seat passenger who required jaws-of-life rescue.

"The unrestrained passenger suffered major injuries," Lassig said. His condition as of Monday was not immediately released.

Both were taken to Inland Valley Medical Center by ground ambulance. During the investigation, both lanes were closed in both directions.

"The CHP would like to remind all motorists to always buckle up," Lassig said. "Seat belts can save lives and reduce the severity of injuries."