EASTVALE, Calif. — Authorities have identified a man killed in a two-vehicle, head-on traffic collision in Eastvale Wednesday morning, June 24.
The other driver involved in deadly crash, which happened where River Rd. turns into Archibald Ave. at the intersection of Baron Dr., sustained minor injuries and was treated and later released at the scene.
Deputies and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene about 8:34 a.m., after receiving reports of a major injury, head-on traffic collision, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Gutierrez has since reported.
When officials arrived they found one of the victims critically injured and trapped inside his vehicle.
After firefighters extricated the victim he was rushed by ground ambulance to Corona Regional Medical Center; however, the man succumbed to his traumatic injuries and passed away while still en route to the hospital.
Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials have since identified the man killed in the collision as Theodore Rich, 88, of Hawthorne. A coroner’s release indicated the victim was pronounced deceased by medical staff at 9:12 a.m.
“The driver of the other vehicle cooperated with the investigation and was released from the scene with minor injuries,” said Gutierrez.
Based on the circumstances, members of Jurupa Valley Station’s Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to the location and assumed the investigation.
Gutierrez has since reported one of the vehicles was traveling eastbound on Baron Rd./Archibald Ave. at River Rd. and attempted to make a northbound turn onto River Rd. from a southbound only turning lane.
Although Gutierrez has not specified what kind of vehicles were involved in the deadly crash or who was found to be at fault, he said the vehicle attempting to turn was struck head-on by the second vehicle; which had been traveling southbound on River Rd.
During their investigation, deputies called for the temporary closure of River Rd./Archibald Ave. in both directions while they processed the scene.
“At this time it does not appear that drugs or alcohol were a factor in this traffic collision,” Gutierrez said after the fatal collision.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Deputy Van Gorder at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number EV201760020 and can remain anonymous.
