Man Runs From Police, Struck by Car on Winchester Road

An investigation into a crash involving an allegedly intoxicated man who reportedly ran from police resulted in a several-hour closure Friday night of a busy Temecula roadway.

Riverside County sheriff’s Cpl. Robert Martinez said the man was hit just after 5:42 p.m. Friday on Winchester Road near Ynez Road as he allegedly tried to evade capture.

“We received a call at 5:42 p.m. regarding a subject who was intoxicated in the parking lot of TGI Friday’s,” Martinez said. “Deputies responded to scene and while trying to make contact with the individual, he ran northbound across Winchester.”

The man got across the eastbound lanes but as he was attempting to weave his way through traffic in westbound lanes, he was struck by a motorist, the corporal said.

“He suffered serious injuries however they appear to be non-life threatening at this point,” Martinez said. “He was transported to a local hospital.”

The name of the 33-year-old man was not immediately disclosed.

The driver of the car that hit him did not suffer any injuries, according to Martinez.

The car appeared to be a blue Honda coupe, which according to a Patch reporter on scene, had a smashed front windshield along with other body damage.

Reporter Joe Fanaselle said the victim’s clothes were strewn across the roadway near the crash site, which was about 300 feet east of the Winchester/Ynez intersection. There was also blood on the road.

The investigation caused Winchester Road to be closed between Ynez Road and Ring Road, near Barnes and Noble at Temecula Promenade.

Temecula police Sgt. Dean Spivacke told Patch that eastbound lanes were reopened by about 9:30 p.m. and that westbound lanes should be reopened by about 10 p.m.

Spivacke, who responded to investigate the crash, said police would decide at a later date whether to pursue a misdemeanor charge against the man.