According to California Highway Patrol Officer Ron Esparza, Mitsuru Betty Kaminaka, 88, of Hemet, was driving her Subaru Legacy through Idyllwild, and was involved in two traffic incidents Thursday afternoon, June 19. Kaminaka’s car struck Barbara Pongratz, 60, of Idyllwild, from behind while she was walking on the northbound side of North Circle Drive near River Road. Idyllwild Fire, and CHP responded to the hit-and-run, where the Legacy’s passenger-side mirror was left at the scene. Pongratz was transported by ground to San Gorgonio Medical Center in Banning complaining of left side pain, including an abrasion and a possible broken leg. Within minutes, a second traffic collision call came into Idyllwild Fire and CHP. This involved a traffic collision with a tree on Highway 243 near the Riverside County Playground Road. This driver was Kaminaka, who crashed the Legacy into a tree and concrete fence around 3 p.m. When personnel arrived on scene, they matched Kaminaka’s passenger-side mirror with her vehicle, confirming her vehicle was the same vehicle that struck Pongratz. Kaminaka was transported by ground to Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center with unknown injuries. Pending further investigation, Kaminaka may be charged with felony hit-and-run. Photo by Jenny Kirchner
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Ron Esparza, Mitsuru Betty Kaminaka, 88, of Hemet, was driving her Subaru Legacy through Idyllwild, and was involved in two traffic incidents Thursday afternoon, June 19. Kaminaka’s car struck Barbara Pongratz, 60, of Idyllwild, from behind while she was walking on the northbound side of North Circle Drive near River Road. Idyllwild Fire, and CHP responded to the hit-and-run, where the Legacy’s passenger-side mirror was left at the scene. Pongratz was transported by ground to San Gorgonio Medical Center in Banning complaining of left side pain, including an abrasion and a possible broken leg. Within minutes, a second traffic collision call came into Idyllwild Fire and CHP. This involved a traffic collision with a tree on Highway 243 near the Riverside County Playground Road. This driver was Kaminaka, who crashed the Legacy into a tree and concrete fence around 3 p.m. When personnel arrived on scene, they matched Kaminaka’s passenger-side mirror with her vehicle, confirming her vehicle was the same vehicle that struck Pongratz. Kaminaka was transported by ground to Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center with unknown injuries. Pending further investigation, Kaminaka may be charged with felony hit-and-run.
Photo by Jenny Kirchner

Fire log

The Idyllwild Fire Station responded to the following calls, Monday, June 16, to Monday, June 23, 2014.

 

Idyllwild

• June 17 — Medical aid.

• June 18 —  Dispatched and cancelled en route.

• June 18 —  Two rescues, medical aids.

• June 19 — Rescue/medical incident.

• June 19 — Three medical aids.

• June 19 — Motor vehicle accident.

• June 19 — Motor vehicle accident/pedestrian.

• June 20 — Medical aid.

• June 21 — Three medical aids.

• June 23 — Rescue/medical aid.

 

Mountain Center

• June 17 — Dispatched and canceled en route.

• June 23 — Medical aid.

 

Pine Cove

• June 23 — Medical aid.

 

At right, McKenzie Smith, 21, of Idyllwild was traveling northbound on Highway 243 at about 12:45 a.m., Wednesday morning, June 18, when he lost control of his 2004 Subaru Outback, careening through a fence near Pine Cove Rd. Smith and his passengers Alden Rizor, 18 of Hemet, and Brandon Gross, 21 of Murrieta, were uninjured. According the California Highway Patrol Officer Ron Esparza, the cause of the crash was unsafe speeds, at approximately 50-60mph. Photo by Jenny Kirchner
At right, McKenzie Smith, 21, of Idyllwild was traveling northbound on Highway 243 at about 12:45 a.m., Wednesday morning, June 18, when he lost control of his 2004 Subaru Outback, careening through a fence near Pine Cove Rd. Smith and his passengers Alden Rizor, 18 of Hemet, and Brandon Gross, 21 of Murrieta, were uninjured. According the California Highway Patrol Officer Ron Esparza, the cause of the crash was unsafe speeds, at approximately 50-60mph.
Photo by Jenny Kirchner

Sheriff’s log

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls from Sunday, June 15, to Saturday, June 21.

 

Idyllwild

• June 15 — Area check, address undefined. Handled by deputy.

• June 15 — Alarm call, Fern Valley Rd. Handled by deputy.

• June 16 — Alarm call, 26000 block of Hwy. 243. Handled by deputy.

• June 17 — Alarm call, 54000 block of Pine Crest AvE. Handled by deputy.

• June 17 — Alarm call, Hemstreet Pl. Handled by deputy.

• June 17 — Suspect info, address withheld. Handled by deputy.

• June 18 — Vehicle code violation, address undefined. Handled by deputy.

• June 18 — Alarm call, Indian Rock Rd. Handled by deputy.

• June 18 — Alarm call, N. Circle Dr. Handled by deputy.

• June 18 — Burglary, N. Circle Dr. Report taken.

• June 19 — Follow-up, address withheld. Handled by deputy.

• June 19 — Miscellaneous criminal, address undefined. Handled by deputy.

• June 20 — Narcotics, 25000 block of Hwy. 243. Arrest made.

• June 20 — Suicide threat, address withheld. Handled by deputy.

 

Pine Cove

• June 17 — Public intoxication, Marion Ridge Dr. Handled by deputy.

• June 19 — Area check, Pine Cove Rd. Handled by deputy.

 

Poppet Flats

• June 19 — 911 call from business, Poppet Flats Rd. Handled by deputy.

• June 20 — Petty theft, Keyes Rd. Handled by deputy.

• June 21 — Assist other department, address undefined. Handled by deputy.

 

San Bernardino 

National Forest

• June 15 — Public disturbance, 61000 block of Hwy. 74. Handled by deputy.

• June 20 — Lost hiker, address undefined. Report taken.

• June 20 — Lost hiker, address undefined. Unfounded.

• June 21 — 911 call from business, 56000 block of Hwy. 74. Handled by deputy.

 

Santa Rosa 

Indian Reservation

• June 19 — Battery, 65000 block of Hwy. 74. Handled by deputy.