Update @ 9:53 p.m.: The Riverside County Coroner’s office has identified the two motorists killed in today’s crash as Yorba Linda residents Cheryl Jain, 66, who was a passenger in the car when it was struck, and 74-year-old driver Amar Jain.
Original: A motorist traveling at a high rate of speed Saturday while heading westbound on Rancho California in Temecula, left a trail of collisions and debris near Ynez Rd. before ending in a fatal collision at Jefferson Ave., it was reported today.
The scene of the original crash on Rancho California Rd. and Hope Way in Temecula. (Kerri S. Mabee/SWRNN)
The incident, which first occurred at 3:01 p.m., had the driver of a silver Hyundai sedan plowing through traffic on Rancho California Rd. near the Target shopping center, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s officials.
It is not clear what caused those collisions, but at least five vehicles suffered a range of damage and a swath of debris was left behind near Rancho California and Hope Way.
Witness Tony Moedano said he saw a crumpled vehicle on the grass near Claim Jumper and a silver vehicle speeding westbound from the scene, weaving in and around traffic, through a red light at Rancho California and Ynez roads, with a trail of smoke billowing behind it.
Minutes later, officials said the silver sedan, still traveling at a high rate of speed from the original crash, broadsided a blue Honda CRV that appeared to be heading southbound on Jefferson Ave.
Photo gallery courtesy of Joe Fanaselle:
Temecula police Sgt. Steve Fredericks confirmed that the two occupants in the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Scene of the fatal crash at Rancho California Road and Jefferson Ave. in Temecula. (Joe Fanaselle/SWRNN)
Witnesses at the scene said that emergency crews worked to save the life of the passenger of the Honda, a female, but were unsuccessful.
The driver of the silver sedan was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries, Fredericks said.
Motorists can expect slowing traffic and numerous closures, including a stretch between Diaz and Jefferson, westbound on Rancho California Rd at I-15 and southbound Jefferson Ave. is closed as investigators examine the scene.
An investigation is underway as to the exact cause of the crash.
This is a developing story. Stay with SWRNN for details as they come available.
*Joe Fanaselle and Stephanie D. Schulte contributed to this report.
Article source: http://www.swrnn.com/2012/10/20/update-two-killed-in-violent-temecula-crash-identified/
