Coroner IDs Lake Elsinore Man As Crash Victim, 3 Others Injured In Menifee

MENIFEE, CA — A Lake Elsinore man was killed, and others were injured in a two-car head-on crash in Menifee on Wednesday, officials say.

William Garduno, 67, died at the crash scene shortly before 9 p.m. in Menifee, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Coroner's Bureau said in a recent news release.

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Shortly before 8:45 p.m., the Menifee Police Department responded to a two-vehicle traffic collision on Newport Road, east of Derby Hill Drive, involving a 2022 Kia K5 and a 2011 BMW 328i.Upon arrival, officers found both vehicles severely damaged.

Both Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department and American Medical Response (AMR) personnel responded to the scene to tend to the wounded.

"The driver of the Kia, a Lake Elsinore resident, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and an adult female passenger in that vehicle sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital," Menifee Police reported. "A juvenile passenger was also transported to a local hospital as a precaution. "

As of Thursday, the unidentified woman remained in critical but stable condition, while the juvenile remained in stable condition, according to the police statement.

Both the driver and a passenger of the BMW were contacted at the scene and provided statements to officers before being released.

The adult male passenger of the BMW was transported to a local hospital and remains in stable condition, according to the police.

Preliminary findings indicate the BMW was traveling westbound on Newport Road while the Kia was traveling eastbound.

"For reasons that remain under investigation, the BMW crossed the center median and entered the eastbound lanes, where it collided with the Kia," police say. "At this time, it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were contributing factors in the collision. The exact cause and circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation."

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has additional information is encouraged to contact Officer Kristin Pisciuneri with the Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit at (951) 723-1668 or the Traffic Unit at (951) 723-1500.