Coroner IDs 2 Killed In Lake Mathews Crash

LAKE MATHEWS, CA — Two people were killed Tuesday when a tractor-trailer slammed into their sedan on the south side of Lake Mathews, authorities said.

The head-on collision happened about 10:25 a.m. on Cajalco Road, just west of La Sierra Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Juan Quintero said the victims were in a Toyota Scion XB going east on Cajalco when they encountered a big rig coming from the opposite direction, being driven by a 26-year-old man from Alberta, Canada.

"The preliminary investigation revealed Harjeetpal failed to negotiate the right curvature in the road and allowed the semi to cross over the eastbound lane of Cajalco, directly in the path of the Toyota," Quintero said. "As a result, the truck collided with the Toyota head-on."

He said both the driver and his front seat passenger were killed in the crash. The victims hace been identified by the coroner's office as Dale D'Elia, 32, of Perris, and Ashley Slater, 32, of Norco. It's not immediately clear who was the passenger or driver.

No one else was in the sedan.

The trucker was not hurt. He was questioned at the scene and released pending further investigation, according to Quintero.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the CHP's Riverside office at 951-637-8000.

—City News Service