Weekend I-15 Fatality In Temecula Blamed On DUI Carlsbad Man: CHP

TEMECULA, CA — The California Highway Patrol has released details about what led up to a woman being struck and killed over the weekend on Interstate 15 in Temecula, with preliminary findings pointing to a Carlsbad motorist.

Nancy Arzate, 33, of Perris was standing outside her vehicle Saturday night on northbound I-15, north of Temecula Parkway, when she was hit by a suspected DUI driver, according to information from the CHP and the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau.

Arzate had been involved in a solo-vehicle wreck just before 10 p.m. Her 2011 Toyota Camry came to a rest perpendicular to traffic lanes on the freeway's right shoulder. Arzate she got out of the car and was standing near the driver's door, the CHP reported.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Mason Michael Joachim of Carlsbad was heading toward the incident at about 70 mph in a 2003 Ford Edge. A vehicle swerved ahead of Joachim and he missed hitting it, but he struck Arzate and her car, according to the CHP.

Instead of remaining at the scene, Joachim allegedly fled on foot but was later found by the CHP, according to the agency.

The CHP reported that Joachim suffered minor injuries and was briefly hospitalized before being booked into Riverside County jail on suspicion of hit-and-run causing death, murder, DUI causing great bodily injury, and an alcohol blood concentration over the legal limit that led to injury — all felonies. The jail records show Joachim was allegedly driving on a suspended license, a misdemeanor.

Joachim is being held in lieu of $1 million bail, according to the jail records.

"The CHP would like to remind the motoring public to always designate a sober driver," CHP Office Mike Lassig said. "DUI's are 100% preventable. If you drink or consume anything that may impair you, don't drive."

The CHP Temecula Area office is investigating the fatal crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact CHP Officer J. Cox at the Temecula Area office. He can be reached at jucox@chp.ca.gov or 951-466-4300.