One Killed, One Arrested in Crash Near Winchester

A 26-year-old man was killed Wednesday in a head-on collision near Winchester that was triggered when the other driver’s vehicle drifted into oncoming traffic, the California Highway Patrol reported.

David Preciado of Hemet died at a hospital less than an hour after the 7 a.m. crash on state Route 74, just east of Steinhoff Avenue, according to the CHP.

Hector Suarez Carreon, 27, was driving his Ford Ranger pickup westbound on the 74, going about 60 mph, when the truck crossed the double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic, the CHP reported.

Officer Mike Lassig said Preciado, at the wheel of a 1988 Jeep Cherokee, was heading eastbound on the 74 and attempted to maneuver out of the path of the oncoming pickup but didn’t have time.

Lassig said the left front ends of both vehicles connected, causing the SUV to spin across westbound lanes and over an embankment, rolling down the precipice.

Preciado, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the Jeep, suffering massive injuries, according to Lassig. The victim died at Menifee Valley Medical Center.

Carreon was treated for minor injuries and ultimately booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter. Bail information was not immediately available.

— City News Service.  Image via Google Maps.