Crime & Safety

Crash That Killed 2 In Winchester Triggered By Driver Under The Influence, CHP Says

The 11:45 a.m. collision Sunday that claimed the lives of 49-year-old Monica Rochin and 35-year-old Rosy Vargas, both of Menifee, was triggered by Noel Mayorga of Menifee, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A man driving a pickup truck that nearly sheared another vehicle in half -- killing two occupants -- during a collision at a Winchester intersection was allegedly driving under the influence, authorities said today.

The 11:45 a.m. collision Sunday that claimed the lives of 49-year-old Monica Rochin and 35-year-old Rosy Vargas, both of Menifee, was triggered by Noel Mayorga of Menifee, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Mayorga, 38, was driving his 2011 Ford Ranger east on Domenigoni Parkway in excess of 60 mph when he broadsided a 1994 Lexus going north on Leon Road, the CHP said.

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Vargas was driving the Lexus, occupied in the front by Rochin and in the back by 54-year-old Felipe Rangel of Hemet, 17-year-old Selena Monge of Menifee and her brother, 5-year-old Christopher Monge, according to the CHP.

"The impact caused major damage to the truck and nearly severed the Lexus in half," said CHP Officer Darren Meyer.

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Rochin and Vargas died at the scene, according to the Riverside County Coroner's Office.

Rangel and the children suffered moderate to major injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Moreno Valley and Wildomar, Meyer said.

Mayorga was ejected from his pickup and suffered serious injuries.

Meyer said witnesses saw the truck and an "unidentified vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, and in very close proximity to each other, prior to the collision."

Mayorga, who remains in critical condition, will be arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter when and if he recovers, according to the CHP.

Anyone with information about the collision was asked to contact the CHP's San Gorgonio office at (951) 769-2000.--City News Service



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