Coroner IDs Woman Who Died After Being Ejected Onto 215 Freeway

PERRIS, CA — A Moreno Valley woman was killed early Sunday morning after she was ejected from a sedan that crashed after being driven at "a high rate of speed" on the northbound Escondido (215) Freeway.

The crash occurred around 12:22 a.m. along Interstate 215, north of the Ramona Expressway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A preliminary CHP report revealed that a 2008 Mazda 3 "was traveling at a high rate of speed when it lost control, left the roadway, and collided with the guardrail in the center median."

Upon impact, the Mazda overturned onto its roof and back into the #1 lane where it was immediately struck by a passing 2015 Ford Explorer.

"An occupant of the Mazda was ejected from the vehicle during the crash sequence and sustained fatal injuries," according to the CHP.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Valerie Martinez. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other Mazda occupant sustained moderate injuries
and was transported to a local hospital.

It's unclear whether Martinez was the driver or passenger. She was the registered owner of the vehicle, according to CHP Officer Javier Navarro.

The driver and passenger of the Ford were uninjured, the CHP reported.

Navarro said the Ford occupants were not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, but the Mazda occupants were.

No arrests were announced.

The CHP issued a SigAlert shutting down all northbound lanes of the freeway while officers conducted an investigation and cleared debris from the roadway. Caltrans and law enforcement advised motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

The crash remains under investigation by the CHP.