Teen Suicide Attempt Caused Injury Crash, Police Say

A crash that stopped traffic Monday afternoon was caused by a teen who attempted suicide, police say.

Police responded to the two-vehicle wreck on Warren Road at Benton Road, just north of Temecula city limits, shortly after 2:30 p.m.

The drivers of the vehicles, a 16-year-old boy and a 52-year-old man, sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported to Inland Valley Medical Center, according to Sgt. K. McDonald of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

But during the police investigation it was discovered the teen deliberately crashed into the man’s vehicle in an apparent suicide attempt, the sergeant said, noting that sheriff investigators interviewed the 16-year-old at the hospital. 

The boy will be sent for a mental health evaluation after receiving treatment for his injuries and charges of assault with a deadly weapon will be sought against him, McDonald said.

The investigation is continuing at this time.