A 21-year-old woman died and two others were injured after a head-on collision in Hemet on Sunday evening.
According to the Hemet Police Department, the crash occurred around 9 p.m. on Mountain Avenue.
Officers were dispatched to the scene after learning of the crash. They discovered that the woman was driving a Kia Forte westbound when “she drifted into oncoming lanes,” according to a department statement.
At the same time, a man driving eastbound in a Hyundai Ioniq noticed the Kia approaching him. Police say he tried to maneuver out of the path, but the two automobiles struck head-on in the eastbound lanes.
Paramedics arrived at the scene and discovered the woman, Stephanie Morales of San Jacinto, in critical condition. She was transported to a neighboring hospital and died less than an hour later.
According to investigators, she did not appear to be wearing a safety belt at the time of the incident.
Both the driver and passenger of the Hyundai were hospitalized with moderate injuries, according to authorities. Both are anticipated to fully recover.
The route was closed for six hours while the police investigation was completed.
Anyone with additional information is requested to contact HPD’s Traffic Bureau at (951) 765-2400.