Dad, daughter dead in fatal hit-and-run near Hemet
Personal Injury News
Article Date: 6/3/2009 | Resource: MLG
Dad, daughter dead in fatal hit-and-run near Hemet
Three people, including a father and his 11-year-old daughter, died and two others were injured in a horrific crash west of Hemet caused by what authorities said was a hit-and-run driver Tuesday evening.
The driver of a black Acura caused the crash on Highway 74 — Florida Avenue — near Four Seasons Boulevard at 5 p.m., authorities said. The car, driven by what was believed to be a man about 20 years old, headed east on Highway 74 after the crash.
“One’s person’s actions caused three people’s deaths,” said CHP Officer David Kling.
CHP officers said the Acura was tailgating a gray Ford Fusion coming around a tight curve on Highway 74 outside of Hemet. The driver of the Acura hit the Fusion, driven by Victoria Cook, 24, of Hemet, which side-swiped a white Subaru in the right eastbound lane driven by Austin Welch, 24, of Hemet. Both escaped uninjured.
The Acura then sped off east into Hemet.
A silver Audi headed eastbound behind the first collision swerved to miss the crash and veered into oncoming traffic, hitting a dark blue Mitsubishi Montero sport utility vehicle. A white Nissan Altima then crashed into the Audi’s passenger side.
Both the driver and the passenger of the Audi died at the scene. They were identified by the Riverside County coroner’s office this morning as 37-year-old Cedric Twayne Page of Murrieta and his 11-year-old daughter, Zaria Williams of San Jacinto.
The driver of the Montero suffered major injuries and was hospitalized at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley. His wife, riding in the front passenger seat, died at the scene. She has been identified as 72-year-old Christine Emily Giambra of Fountain Valley.
The driver of the Altima, Danielle Rivera, suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized at Riverside County Regional Medical Center.
The wreck crushed the front end and passenger side of the Audi. The Montero’s front end was smashed in with a shattered windshield and both airbags deployed.
Riverside County coroner’s officials worked silently in the middle of the road, which was closed in both directions. One deputy pulled away a woman’s blue backpack and other personal belongings. The road was reopened about 7:40 p.m.
“This is really bad,” Kling said. “We haven’t had a major crash like this out here in a long time.”
For more information regarding this article please contact:
Jeffrey Marquart
(949)589-0150
jmarquart@marquartlawgroup.com