Claremont Man Suspected of Killing Woman, Young Boy in DUI Crash

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA- A Canyon Lake woman and a young boy both died in a weekend DUI-related crash off northbound Interstate 15 while another young girl was also injured, CHP officials reported Monday.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Monks, the crash happened around 9:22 p.m. Friday when a Claremont man, who officials believe was under the influence of alcohol, drifted off the roadway and into a construction area near the center median.

Michael Mason, 58, who was at the wheel, was driving an estimated 60-65 mph when this happened, Monks said.

"Mason allowed his vehicle to veer to the left into the center median and drive within a construction area," he said in a news release. "The left tires of the vehicle traveled off the concrete surface and into a ditch. The GMC collided into steel I-beams, then traveled off the concrete portion of the roadway and overturned into stacks of lumber."

The GMC Sierra truck eventually landed on its roof in the construction area for the new 91 toll lanes, according to CHP and Caltrans.

Ashley Austin, 27, who was in the right front passenger seat, and 6-year-old Christopher Austin, who was seated in the right rear seat, both died at the scene of the crash, CHP and coroner's officials report. A 9-year-old girl seated in the back left side of the car was taken to Riverside County Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. All three are from Canyon Lake.

The driver was also hospitalized with injuries described as moderate, according to Monks. He was then arrested on charges of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, child endangerment, felony DUI and felony DUI causing injury.

Monks said the case is still being investigated and asked anyone with information to contact CHP at 951-637-8000.