This story has been updated with additional details.
A Riverside County sheriff’s deputy was killed on Wednesday in a collision involving his patrol motorcycle and a sedan stopped in traffic on the 91 Freeway.
Deputy Timothy Corlew was fatally injured about 5:35 a.m. on the westbound 91 at La Sierra Avenue in Riverside, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP Inland Empire Division spokesman Officer Dan Olivas said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon that Corlew was traveling in the HOV lane at an unconfirmed speed when he encountered “traffic ahead … stopped across all lanes.”
“For reasons still under investigation, the deputy collided with the rear of a Toyota (Lexus), and he was ejected from his motorcycle onto a Hyundai sedan,” Olivas said.
Riverside Fire Department paramedics reached the location within minutes and attempted life-saving measures, after which Corlew was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead moments later, according to Olivas.
He said the Lexus driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to the same hospital for treatment. The occupant of the Hyundai was not hurt.
The CHP’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is continuing to piece together the details of what happened.
The agency’s Riverside office spokesman, Officer Javier Navarro, told City News Service earlier that it was “unlikely any criminal charges will be coming out of this down the road, based on what we know right now.”
Sheriff Chad Bianco posted a brief statement via social media, saying “with immense sadness and a heavy heart, I must report the sheriff’s office has lost another deputy in a line-of-duty death.”
He added that Corlew was attached to the sheriff’s Jurupa Valley Station. However, no details were released Wednesday regarding the fallen deputy’s length of service, or other background information.
Sheriff Chad Bianco posted a brief statement via social media, saying “with immense sadness and a heavy heart, I must report the sheriff’s office has lost another deputy in a line-of-duty death.”
He added that Corlew was attached to the sheriff’s Jurupa Valley Station. However, no details were released Wednesday regarding the fallen deputy’s length of service, or other background information.
