Woman Dies Following Murrieta Crash

MURRIETA, CA — A woman has died following a major crash in Murrieta that crumpled two vehicles and blocked a local intersection on Thursday. The woman, who was initially transported to the hospital in serious condition, died at the hospital, according to Murrieta Police.

Murrieta Police Sgt. Sandra O'Donnell says the woman, whose identity was not immediately released, was initially taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in serious condition. She was later airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, where she died Thursday afternoon.

According to O'Donnell, the woman was rear-ended in the wreck at Hancock Avenue and Ridgewood Road around 8:49 a.m. Though the crash is still under investigation, speed is believed to have played a role, she told Patch on Thursday.

The victim was driving a gray vehicle. She was struck by a white SUV, according to police and fire officials. The impact of the collision between the two vehicles sent the gray one onto the sidewalk, while the SUV rolled onto its passenger side in the middle of the intersection.

Fire personnel from two engines, a truck and a battalion chief responded to the scene. They used the jaws of life to first cut out the woman in the gray vehicle within about 15 minutes, Corelli said. Then they pulled the SUV's driver free by cutting the roof off of the vehicle. That person was freed within about 30 minutes.

The crash remains under investigation.

Patch will update this story as more information is released.

Photos from the tragic scene can be seen below:

Main image courtesy: Joe Fanaselle