Modesto Daniel Carpio of San Jacinto was arrested in the predawn hours Sunday following the deadly collision on the westbound Riverside (91) Freeway in Corona.

Along with murder, Carpio is charged with felony evading and engaging in an illegal speed contest.

The defendant, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail, was slated to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

“Illegal street racing is not just a crime — it’s a threat to every driver on the road,” CHP Capt. Sal Suarez said regarding the deadly crash. “This tragic loss underscores why the CHP remains committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who endanger lives through reckless behavior.”

At about 11:50 p.m. Saturday, motorists on the eastbound Pomona (60) Freeway near Euclid Avenue in Ontario called 911 to report several freeway lanes obstructed by organizers of a street race, according to the CHP.

Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said patrol vehicles reached the location moments later, at which point Carpio was quickly identified as one of the alleged racers, prompting a patrol unit to signal him to pull over.

Jimenez said the defendant floored his Infiniti sports car, attempting to elude the unit, heading south into Riverside County via Interstate 15.

“Carpio accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 mph and transitioned onto the westbound 91,” Jimenez said. “While fleeing at high speed, the Infiniti collided with a semi truck hauling a trailer east of Lincoln Avenue. The impact forced the semi into a freeway sound wall and ejected the driver.”

The victim, 55-year-old Stephen Palacios of Rancho Cucamonga, was found in grave condition by Corona Fire Department paramedics. He was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he died an hour later.

His passenger, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the same hospital. He’s expected to recover.

Carpio, who was alone in the Infiniti, was not hurt. He was taken into custody without further incident and booked into jail.

He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

There was no word regarding whether investigators had tracked down other participants in the alleged street race.

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RCSD | Contributed

A man servicing a box truck on the shoulder of Interstate 215 in Perris was struck and killed Tuesday when a motorist allowed his pickup to drift onto the edge of the freeway and hit him, authorities said.

The fatality occurred at about 10:15 a.m. on northbound I-215, just north of Nuevo Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Javier Navarro said the victim, whose identity was not immediately released, stopped the International box truck on the right shoulder to refill the radiator, with the help of a companion riding with him.

Navarro said the victim was attempting to secure the hood latch on the driver’s side after topping off the radiator when the driver of a Toyota Tacoma approached at an undetermined speed in the slow lane.

“For an unknown reason, the Toyota drifted onto the shoulder, colliding into the International and the male pedestrian,” the CHP spokesman said. “The man succumbed to injuries he sustained in the crash.”

Riverside County Fire Department crews reached the location within a few minutes and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The other man was not injured, nor was the pickup driver, who immediately stopped, according to Navarro.

“Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this collision,” he said.

The driver was questioned but not arrested.

The No. 3 lane on northbound I-215 was shut down until about noon while a preliminary investigation was conducted.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information was asked to contact the CHP Riverside office at 951-637-8000.

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Riverside County Sheriff’s Department | Contributed

A 48-year-old man was killed when his scooter and an SUV collided at a Riverside intersection, authorities said Tuesday.

David Ducoing of Riverside was fatally injured at about 8:15 p.m. Monday at Tyler Street and Wells Avenue, according to the Riverside Police Department.

Sgt. Ryan Taack said Ducoing was riding his scooter eastbound on Wells, heading to an unspecified location in the La Sierra Hills area of the city. It was unclear whether the scooter was the mobility variety to accommodate a physical disability, or a recreational device.

At about the same time that the victim was entering the intersection, a 2015 Chevy Suburban driven by a 29-year-old motorist approached from the north, heading southbound on Tyler, Taack said.

“The Chevy and the scooter collided as they entered the intersection,” the sergeant said, without specifying which one had the right of way.

Ducoing was killed on impact. The SUV driver, identified only as a Riverside resident, was not hurt and immediately stopped, according to Taack. He said the motorist was questioned but not arrested.

It’s unknown whether drugs or alcohol may have been factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.

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The San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station Reconstruction Team responded to the location and assumed the investigation.  The intersection of Ramona Expressway and Sanderson Avenue was closed during the investigation. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the traffic collision.

The deceased driver was identified as Kevin Tobin, a 55-year-old male from Moreno Valley.

Anyone with information regarding this traffic collision is encouraged to contact Deputy Leal at the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station at 951-654-2702 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at 951-776-1099.

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The driver of the Camaro, Guermocindo Gonzalez, 32 years of Coachella, displayed objective signs and symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol and was found to be at fault for the traffic collision.  Gonzalez was arrested and booked at the John Benoit Detention Center, in the city of Indio, for homicide.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Nevins with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (760)863-8990.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Eastvale Station Traffic Reconstruction Team responded and assumed the investigation. 

Westbound Limonite Avenue near Hamner Avenue was closed for the duration of the investigation. 

The identity of the deceased subject is pending confirmation and notification to next of kin by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.  The identity of the driver of the vehicle involved will not be released at this time.  Alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be a factor.

Anyone with any information about this incident is encouraged to called Deputy Van Gorder at the Jurupa Valley Station at 951-955-2600 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at 951-776-1099.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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