Driver Accused of Manslaughter, Hit-and-Run in Deadly Temecula Crash

A 63-year-old Menifee man has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run in Monday's crash on Rancho California Road in Temecula that left one person dead, according to police.

Travis Hughes Braswell was driving a full-size pickup truck west on Rancho California Road at about 2:45 p.m. Monday when he is suspected of failing to stop at a red light at Town Center, stated Temecula police Sgt. Dean Spivacke, in a news release.

"The truck struck a gold Pontiac then spun out and struck a gold Saturn. The truck came to rest facing east on Rancho California Road," Spivacke stated. "The Pontiac and Saturn were heavily damaged and remained in the intersection. Each vehicle contained one female occupant."

Police allege Braswell drove away from the scene, traveling east on Rancho California and into the Temecula Town Center parking lot.

"He was located and detained at that location by officers," Spivacke stated.

The driver of the Pontiac, a 27-year-old woman of Escondido and Temecula, and the driver of the Saturn, a 38-year-old woman from Corona were transported to local hospitals, according to Spivacke.

The 27-year-old woman, Sharina Thomason, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at 3:25 p.m. at Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, according to the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.

Braswell, who was also transported to a local hospital, was treated and released from medical care.

"He was then arrested and booked at the Southwest Detention Center for vehicular homicide and hit-and-run," Spivacke stated.

Jail records show Braswell was released from custody Tuesday after posting $75,000 bail.

Police were continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash that forced a several-hour closure Monday of Rancho California Road.

Anyone with further information in the case was encouraged to contact the Temecula Police Department by calling 951-696-3000.