RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A man who died following a weekend crash near Menifee was not wearing a seatbelt and was believed to be driving under the influence, according to the California Highway Patrol.
It was the second such fatal wreck in a week.
Just after 1 p.m. Sunday, a 42-year-old Moreno Valley man, whose identity was not released, was driving a 2014 Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck westbound on state Route 74 to the southbound Interstate 215 onramp when he failed to negotiate a curve and hit a curb, causing the vehicle to overturn, the CHP reported.
When first responders arrived, they found the injured man on the ground. He had not been wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the truck, according to the CHP.
The man was transported by ambulance to Wildomar’s Inland Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
No other injuries were reported.
Alcohol is suspected to be a contributing crash factor, according to the CHP.
A similar solo-vehicle crash was reported Sept. 22 on state Route 371, just east of Temecula. In that incident, the driver lost control of his car, crashed into a hillside, and overturned, according to the CHP.
When first responders reached the crash site, they found the vehicle overturned in the roadway and the driver ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP reported.
“The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle,” according to the CHP. “Alcohol is suspected to have contributed to this traffic collision.”
No other injuries were reported.
The CHP Temecula Office is investigating both incidents.
“The CHP would like to remind motorists to always buckle up. Seatbelts can save lives and prevent injuries. Always designate a sober driver,” the agency said in a released statement.
