Coroner ID's Woman, 22, Struck And Killed On 60 Freeway

MORENO VALLEY, CA— The Riverside County Sheriff's Department Coroner's Bureau identified a woman who was fatally struck Thursday.

Ernestine Jones, 22, of Moreno Valley, was identified following notification of next of kin, according to the coroner's department.

For unknown reasons, Jones walked into traffic on the westbound Moreno Valley (60) Freeway just east of Indian Avenue, for reasons still being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

The fatality occurred just after 3 a.m. Thursday on the westbound 60 at Perris Boulevard in Moreno Valley, according to the California Highway Patrol Officer Javier Navarro.

The victim began "walking in lanes" without explanation, and the driver of a Toyota Corolla was unable to stop when she appeared in his path, he said. "The Toyota slammed into the woman, hurling her down an embankment along the right shoulder, where the motorist immediately stopped."

Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location minutes later and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The motorist, whose identity was not released, was questioned by CHP officers, who determined he was "not impaired by alcohol or drugs," Navarro said, adding that he was permitted to leave in his car.

The westbound 60 was shut down for nearly two and a half hours while a preliminary investigation was conducted.

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

Related:

60 Freeway Shut Down After Deadly Crash In Moreno Valley