Update 9:43 p.m.:
A man whose Nissan Maxima was struck by an SUV when the other driver ran a red light in Temecula was hospitalized with major injuries Sunday night.
The crash on Rancho California Road, near Yukon Road, forced closure of the road for about four hours while traffic investigators conducted a probe of the accident, according to a Riverside County sheriff's sergeant.
The driver of the GMC Acadia -- identified as Jennifer Moss, of Temecula -- allegedly ran a red light and broadsided the Nissan, sheriff's Sgt. John Magnan wrote in a news release.
Initial investigation determined that neither drugs nor alcohol played a role in the crash, Magnan said.
The cause of the crash was still under investigation and anyone with information that could help officers was asked to call 951-696-3000.
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Three people were injured -- one of them critically -- in a crash involving a car and an SUV in Temecula Sunday.
One person had to be extricated from the sedan -- its roof taken off by firefighters -- according to Patch readers who witnessed the scene.
The crash on Rancho California Road, near Yukon Road, was reported at 3:35 p.m., according to Cal Fire officials.
Three ambulances took the patients to area hospitals, Cal Fire officials reported.
Two of the patients suffered minor injuries, according to Cal Fire's Jody Hagemann.
If the man was turning right, is it not safe to assume that he should have seen the SUV coming at him at 45MPH? Did he make a full stop at the red light? Was his light green? And if it was green, what are the chances that the other person in the SUV didn't see everyone else around them stopping? There are too many facts about this that are not apparent to any of you unless you were there. Don't sit there at your computers and place blame on someone else because it makes you feel better as a human being. Everyone involved is impacted by this tragedy. And furthermore, if the woman driving the SUV was at fault for doing something intentionally, should she be locked up for years? So is it ok that her son is without a mother during that time? What about all the people that depend on her for support? People are so quick to judge. What if you were the one that ran the red light? Would you be so quick to turn yourself in and spend years in jail because you did something that was not intentional?
Until I read differently I do go by the police statements above. There might be something that comes up as to why she ran the red light correct? I cant think of what that would be at the moment but anything is possible. Running red lights is not accidental if you were doing something that prevented you from seeing the red light and stopping for it. That is wreckless and breaking the law, and in breaking that law someone was critically injured. As far as being locked up for a short time, that would be preferable then being critically injured or dead I am sure to her and her family. As I posted at the top somewhere....if I had been doing something that prevented me from seeing and stopping at the red light, and I had injured and/or killed someone, I would first be outside his hospital praying for him constantly if they would let me, 2nd I would be at the jail begging them to put me in there because I deserved it. I agree its horrible for both families but one has a son, brother, cousin(precious boy) holding on for dear life right now. Praying our hearts out is all that matters right now.
This poor woman did not intentionally set about to have an accident, cause these horrible injuries to a man she never knew or for that matter, damage her own car and cause all sorts of emotional problems for herself, her child and the other driver. Jail time for years & years? Don't think so. Jails are already full. Felons are getting early release. Also based on personal experiences and professionally, I can say beyond any reasonable doubt, the police will not waste time filing charges on this type of accident mainly because no DA would take this case--it would be a loser unless there are things we don't know.
I think all of us know how bad it feels to hurt someone else. Like the parent who accidently slams their childs hand in the car door, or letting the child shut the door and he slams it on his fingers. We feel terrible if either we neglected something, or caused it, or overlooked it, etc. and in return it hurts another. Then its what could we have done differently, why did this happen, why me, I will never do that again, and on and on and on we beat up ourselves. No ones words here, which are not bad, concerning her running the light(which is in the article) could make her feel any worse then she probably already does and will for the rest of her life.
She is going to wish she got jail time for what she will loose in the Civil suit Becca, and believe me, that is true. Its not a matter of intentional or unintentional, or an accident, she ran a red light, its against the law, in the commission of breaking that law, she critically injured someone or worse, and I think it was 2 others non critically injured. To make it real simple........think of a man who steals a car. After he has stole the car, crime 1, he then goes on to hit a few cars on the street as he doesnt drive this kind of car very well, crimes number 2 (its an accident, not his fault he hits these cars) then later on he hits a light pole(number 3) and takes it down, finally after a little high speed chase(number 4) the police get their man. From what you are saying he is only guilty for stealing the car, not for everything else he did after that correct?? Because those were accidents after he stole the car? Like with this driver because running the red light, hitting this young man was also "oh just an accident"? The DA is not a part of the police department, Becca. DA is a part of the judicial system and determine by what the police provide of evidence if a crime was committed, and whether or not to take it to trial, plea bargain, what to charge her with, and what sentencing to request. etc.
As far as civil suits go...that one I do know about. The driver's insurance company will handle. If they exhaust their limits of coverage, then that will be ALL the injured driver will receive. Judges do not leave people homeless because of an accident. This was an accident NOT AN INTENTIONAL ACT.
To make it real simple........think of a man who steals a car. After he has stole the car, crime 1, he then goes on to hit a few cars on the street as he doesnt drive this kind of car very well, crimes number 2 (its an accident, not his fault he hits these cars) then later on he hits a light pole(number 3) and takes it down, finally after a little high speed chase(number 4) the police get their man. From what you are saying he is only guilty for stealing the car, not for everything else he did after that correct?? Because those were accidents after he stole the car? Like with this driver because running the red light, hitting this young man was also "oh just an accident"? >>> Brenda your above analogy is illogical. The act was stealing a car. That is a crime. The act was intentional. The stealing of the car was the causation of the ultimate accident. No such facts in this situation. You are completely off mark. Running a red light is a moving traffic violation NOT a criminal act. I think this is where you are confused.
Peace be will you.
You repeated exactly what I SAID the DA's "job" is in this, you worded it differently? LOL, I am more then aware who prosecutes. 1. They are not a part of the police dept. 2. The police take their evidence to the DA once, twice, maybe three or more times until the DA decides there is a case or not, or if they need more evidence, so at that time they sort of work together in making sure there is enough or not for prosecution. 3. The DA then decides to either not charge, plea with the defendant, or charge her, and with what, and for what sentence to ask for as a ball park. The car insurance does pay out to their maximum coverage. However, from that point on a lawyer can collect from any assets they have to pay the Judgement. Ie, Hulk Hogan paid quite a large amount for his sons wreckless driving escapade and it wasn't just from insurance. You can look up the case law on that case. Very sad horrible case injuring another young man who had served I believe two tours in Iraq and then comes home to get in the "accident". I will not answer more case law issues with you Becca its just taking up space. If you want to debate it further you can always post on my board.
Everyone trying get injured parties out of cars, working as fast as they can with the medics crawling thru impossible spaces to give aid as quickly as they can. Young man, I pray the lord is wrapping you tightly tonight as you rest and your body tries to heal. I include all the people who were there, the lady above who wanted to help, and the first one to the SUV, all of personnel of the police and fire working to get everyone checked, and stable for transport, and to get this young man out of that car. I pray you rest in peace tonight everyone of you. <3 <3
Loss is difficult and I wish his family and friends my heartfelt condolences
Too many people drive way to fast on Rancho Cal. Especially getting towards "wine country".