Details Released In Easter Night Crash That Killed Murrieta Teen

MURRIETA, CA — Additional details were released Tuesday about a crash that killed a Murrieta teen Easter night on Murrieta Hot Springs Road.

Sharmaine Legaspi, 17, died in the solo-vehicle crash that was reported at 10:50 p.m. on Murrieta Hot Springs Road, just east of Whitewood Road, according to the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau.

The Murrieta Police Department determined the teen was behind the wheel of a compact sedan driving westbound in the number three lane of Murrieta Hot Springs when she lost control of the car for reasons that are still under investigation.

The vehicle went onto the sidewalk on the north side of Murrieta Hot Springs and hit a light pole.

Murrieta police officers and Murrieta Fire and Rescue personnel found the teen girl trapped in the wreckage "suffering from significant injuries," according to the Murrieta Police Department.

Despite life-saving measures, she died at the scene.

A 19-year-old passenger was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery, police reported.

"The Murrieta Police Department’s Traffic Bureau is conducting a full investigation into the cause of the collision," the department reported. "The Riverside County coroner will determine the cause of death."

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Murrieta Police Traffic Investigator Karlton Bridgewaters at 951-461-6303 or kbridgewaters@murrietaca.gov or Traffic Division Sergeant Ontario Williams at 951-461-6360 or owilliams@murrietaca.gov