Deadly Crash: Teen Accused of Drunk, Drugged Driving in Storm, Killing Wildomar Woman

MURRIETA, CA — A Wildomar woman is dead and a Perris teenager has been arrested in connection to a DUI crash that happened during this week's torrential downpour, police said Tuesday.

According to Murrieta Police Sgt. Jay Froboese, the wreck — which was witnessed by an on-duty police officer — happened just after 9 p.m. Sunday in the area of Murrieta Hot Springs Road and Alta Murrieta Drive.

"The officer, on routine patrol, was driving westbound on Murrieta Hot Springs Road just east of Whitewood Road when he observed a silver Chrysler 300 also traveling westbound on Murrieta Hot Springs Road," Froboese said. "The vehicle passed his police car at a high rate of speed during a very heavy period of rainfall."

The officer tried to catch up with the Chrysler, but the driver kept going and ran a red light at Jackson Avenue, according to Froboese.

"At that point, the Murrieta officer activated his overhead lights, but was too far back to get the attention of the Chrysler 300 driver," he said. "The driver continued at speeds in excess of 60 mph in a downpour and ran the westbound Murrieta Hot Springs Road red light at Alta Murrieta Road."

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Leah Reay of Wildomar was in the area, making a left turn from eastbound Murrieta Hot Springs Road to northbound Alta Murrieta Road, according to the sergeant. Reay was hit by the Chrysler 300 in the intersection.

"The impact killed [her] on impact," Froboese said. "According to witnesses, Mrs. Reay had the right of way."

The teen driver of the Chrysler was injured, suffering internal injuries and a broken wrist, according to police. She was taken to Inland Valley hospital following the incident.

"...[I]t appears alcohol and drugs were a factor in the collision," the sergeant said.

On Tuesday afternoon, the girl — identified only as a 17-year-old Perris resident — was released from the hospital and arrested on a charge of vehicular murder, Froboese said.

Now, police are asking anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the crash and saw something to contact them.

"It is believed the suspect driver may have been driving at a high rate of speed along Murrieta Hot Springs Road prior to the officer seeing he and observing the collision," the sergeant said.

Traffic Investigator Metoyer, who is handling the case, can be reached at 951.461.6375.

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone