Two teenagers were killed and one was hospitalized with critical injuries after a suspected DUI crash in Riverside on Saturday, officials revealed.
Riverside Police said calls came in around 5:40 a.m. about a crash on Wood Road, north of Van Buren Boulevard.
When first responders arrived, they discovered that one of the two automobiles involved had caught fire. After extinguishing the fire, authorities stated they discovered two people dead inside.
According to the preliminary inquiry, three teens were in the automobile that caught fire, a gray Lexus sedan, while the second vehicle involved was a blue Scion with an adult guy as the sole occupant. Police have not revealed any of their identities.
According to the inquiry, a 17-year-old teenager was traveling northbound on Wood Road when he ran a red light at Van Buren Boulevard.
The Scion driver collided with the Lexus as he crossed the intersection on a green light heading east. Following the incident, the Lexus drove north, colliding with a cement light pole, a wooden electrical pole, and a tree before coming to a rest and setting fire.
The 17-year-old driver and an 18-year-old woman were discovered dead inside the automobile after the fire was extinguished. According to police, the second 17-year-old male passenger was found with serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The adult driver of the Scion was not hurt and remained at the site to assist investigators.
According to police, the Coroner’s Office will announce the identity of the two teens who died in the crash after notifying family members.
“Alcohol and drugs, as well as vehicle speed, are suspected contributing factors to this collision,” Riverside Police stated in a press release.
If you have any new information about this collision, please contact Traffic Detective Amanda Beeman at 951-826-8723 or [email protected].
Reference: 2 teens killed, 1 hospitalized in suspected DUI crash in Southern California