Press Releases

Details:

On Monday, December 20, 2021, about 1:48 a.m., a deputy assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station advised they were struck head on by another vehicle on Riverside Dr. at Lake Crest Dr., Lake Elsinore. Additional deputies arrived and located two vehicles involved in the collision, with one driver inside of their vehicle unresponsive. Deputies provided medical aid until Riverside County Fire personnel arrived on scene. Riverside County Fire extricated the deputy and transported them to a local hospital for moderate injuries. The unresponsive driver was pronounced deceased on scene. A passenger in the vehicle was extricated and transported to a local hospital for moderate injuries.

The preliminary investigation indicated the deceased was driving westbound on Riverside Dr. and crossed over the center divider colliding with the deputy’s patrol vehicle traveling eastbound. The California Highway Patrol responded and is the primary agency handling the investigation. The cause of this collision is still under investigation, and alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the collision.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the coroner’s office once positive identification can be established, and next of kin can be notified. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol Border Temecula Division at (951) 506-2000.

As a reminder, "Community Policing" involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members.  Business owners and residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff's Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.

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