Menifee Man Killed In Winchester High-Speed Crash ID'd By Coroner

WINCHESTER, CA — A 23-year-old Menifee man who was killed Tuesday afternoon in Winchester when he lost control of his BMW and was broadsided by an oncoming vehicle has been identified by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau.

Ian Rutledge was pronounced dead at the crash scene on state Route 79, approximately 647 feet south of Patterson Avenue, according to the coroner.

The fatal incident was reported at approximately 1:20 p.m. A preliminary report from the California Highway Patrol San Gorgonio Pass Area office showed that Rutledge was heading north on Highway 79, south of Patterson Avenue, "at a high rate of speed." As he attempted to navigate a left curve in the road, he lost control of the BMW.

A Toyota pickup driven by a 44-year-old San Bernardino man was heading south on the highway at about 50 to 60 mph as the BMW crossed his path, perpendicular to traffic. The Toyota's front end crashed into the BMW's right side, killing Rutledge. The Toyota driver was sent to a local hospital with minor injuries, according to the CHP report.

No other injuries were reported.

Southbound Highway 79 was closed for several hours due to the crash investigation by the CHP.

Following the fatal crash, the CHP San Gorgonio Pass Area office reminded motorists that "driving at an unsafe speed is the leading cause of crashes in our area. Drive to arrive."

Anyone with additional information about the crash is asked to contact CHP Public Information Officer Jason Montez at 951-769-2000 ext. 221.