Coroner ID's Woman Found Dead On I-15 In Temecula, Suspect Sought

TEMECULA, CA — The California Highway Patrol is asking for the public's help in finding a man wanted for questioning in the death Saturday of a woman on Interstate 15 in Temecula.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., motorists called 911 to report a woman lying across the number 1 and 2 lanes of southbound I-15 at Rancho California Road, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

When the first CHP officers arrived, they immediately began setting up a flare pattern to divert traffic and protect the woman from getting hit.

Despite their efforts, 37-year-old Perla Medina of Escondido died from her injuries at the scene.

Good Samaritans who had stopped to render aid to the victim reported seeing an emotionally distraught man who was parked nearby in the freeway center divider.

Witnesses told the CHP that he was clearly upset, jumping up and down, Lassig said.

Before officers could question him, however, he fled the scene.

The man was described by witnesses as Hispanic, approximately 35 to 40 years of age, with black hair. He was wearing a gray USMC t-shirt and was about 5-feet-seven-inches- to five-feet-nine-inches tall, weighing around 165 to 170 pounds, Lassig said.

His vehicle was believed to be a white Ford F-150 truck with what appeared to be landscaping tools in the bed, but no license plate number was available, Lassig said.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the woman may have jumped or been pushed from the truck.

"We're hoping the public can help identify the man," Lassig said.

Investigators were also trying to determine whether any motorists may have struck the woman and left the scene. None of the motorists who stopped to help had hit her, according to Lassig.

"We want to talk to any potential witnesses," the lawman said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Temecula CHP office at 951-506-2000.

Southbound I-15 lanes were closed during the investigation, but were reopened at approximately 7 a.m., Lassig said.