Temecula Single-Vehicle Crash Leaves One Dead, One Critically Injured

TEMECULA, CA — A single-vehicle crash left one person dead and another victim critically injured in Temecula, the California Highway Patrol said Sunday.

The crash was reported at 11:45 a.m. Saturday on southbound Interstate 215 just north of Clinton Keith Road.

According to the CHP, a woman behind the wheel of a 2004 Toyota Corolla was driving southbound and steered toward the Clinton Keith Road off- ramp. The driver then steered back to the No. 3 lane of the freeway, then suddenly steered sharply to the right, causing the car to slide sideways and strike a freeway exit sign.After striking the sign, the car continued in a southwesterly direction, and the left side of the vehicle struck a light pole.

Cal Fire responded to the crash and pronounced the driver dead at the scene. A passenger in the car suffered major injuries and was taken to Inland Valley Hospital, authorities reported.

The driver was a 23-year-old woman from Portland, Oregon and the passenger was a 22-year-old woman from Camas, Washington.

The crash was still under investigation.

—City News Service