CHP Releases Details In Fatal San Timoteo Canyon Road Crash

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A driver killed in a crash Tuesday afternoon that was triggered when he tried to go around traffic in a no-passing zone on San Timoteo Canyon Road has been identified by the coroner. The California Highway Patrol also released details about the fatal wreck.

Daniel Reyes, 47, of Moreno Valley died at the crash scene on San Timoteo Canyon Road shortly before 2 p.m., just east of Live Oak Canyon Road, the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau reported.

CHP Officer Jason Montez said Reyes was at the wheel of a 2000 Honda Accord going eastbound on San Timoteo when he came up to a slower-moving 2021 GMC Sierra just ahead of him.

Montez said Reyes "attempted to pass (the pickup) and crossed over the double yellow lines into oncoming traffic."

As he tried to pass the GMC, a 2022 Toyota Camry was approaching from the opposite direction, prompting Reyes to swerve back into the eastbound lane, where his Honda hit the pickup.

The impact caused the Honda to veer back into the path of the Toyota, the CHP spokesman said.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department crews arrived within a few minutes and pronounced Reyes dead at the scene.

The Toyota driver, identified only as a 50-year-old Calimesa man, was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for treatment of minor injuries. He is expected to fully recover.

The pickup driver, identified only as a 23-year-old Newport Beach man, was not hurt.

Both sides of San Timoteo Canyon were shut down between Live Oak Canyon Road to the north and Redlands Boulevard to the south until about 4 p.m. Tuesday, while the CHP conducted a preliminary investigation.

Montez said alcohol or drugs have not been ruled out as possible factors in the crash.

—City News Service contributed to this report.