A fatal crash on the southbound lanes of State Route 79 (Temecula Parkway) claimed the life of a 19‑year‑old driver and left two other young passengers injured early Sunday morning.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the Temecula crash happened just before 7:30 a.m. near Anza Road when a 1998 Toyota 4Runner, driven by the teen, made an overcorrection to the right and lost control.
The vehicle veered off the paved road onto a dirt shoulder, struck a telephone pole, and overturned, coming to rest on its roof.
Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department paramedics responded swiftly to the scene. They pronounced the driver dead at the scene and transported both injured passengers — one in the front and an unrestrained occupant in the back — to a local hospital. The front passenger sustained minor injuries, while the backseat passenger suffered major injuries requiring extrication.
Investigators are reviewing the crash details as they continue to probe factors that may have contributed to the accident, including roadway conditions and vehicle speed.
