On Aug. 9 at 12:40 p.m., Oscar Soria Juarez, 29 of Anaheim, was driving his 2019 Kawasaki Ninja eastbound on Highway 74 west of McGaugh Road. Preliminary investigations show he crossed over the double-yellow line colliding head-on with Donald Leroy VanRiper, 69 of Hemet, who was driving his black 2004 Honda VTX 1300 westbound on Highway 74 with his passenger Diane Haering, 79 of Hemet. Juarez was transported to Riverside University Health Systems Medical Center by AMR with major injuries. Haering was transported by Mercy Air to Riverside University Health Systems Medical Center with major injuries. VanRiper was pronounced deceased at the scene and was transported by the Riverside County Coroner. The Honda was towed by Idyllwild Garage. The owner of the Ninja made arrangements for the bike to be removed from the scene. Alcohol and drugs were not suspected as a contributing factor. The cause of the deadly collision is still under investigation.
Photo by Jenny Kirchner
There were four collisions (including two photos), one resulting in a fatality, on local roads and Highway 74 over the last week and a half, according to California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Matt Napier.
On Aug. 3 at 7: 35 p.m., Chayton Martone Kenyon, 17 of Idyllwild, was driving his gray 2007 Mazda 3 westbound on Highway 74 just east of Dry Creek at a stated speed of 60-65 mph. Due to his unsafe speed, Kenyon lost control, crossed the double-yellow line and collided with Endellion Ann Murphey Trento, 18 of Idyllwild, driving her gray 2006 Subaru Impreza eastbound on Highway 74 at a stated speed of 35 mph. Trento was transported by AMR to Riverside University Health Systems Medical Center with a suspected broken leg. Kenyon was complaining of pain to his left arm but was not transported. Both vehicles were towed by Idyllwild Garage.
On Aug. 3 at 8:45 p.m., Christie Anne Colbert, 34 of Oceanside, was driving her black 2019 Toyota 4-Runner west on Overlook Drive. According to the California Highway Patrol, Colbert stated she was driving too fast, and due to her unsafe speed, made an unsafe turn and lost control hitting two vehicles parked in a private driveway. One was a silver 2017 Toyota Tundra, the other a white 2009 Toyota Highlander. No one was injured in the incident. Colbert’s vehicle was towed by Idyllwild Garage and the two parked vehicles were left at the scene.
Photo by Jenny Kirchner
On Aug. 3 at 8:10 p.m., Edward Reyes Loredo, 35 of La Quinta, was driving his blue 2011 Honda Civic westbound on Highway 74 just west of Carrizo Road at a stated speed of 45 mph. Brian Steven Torrez, 19 of National City, was driving his black 2005 Saturn Ion eastbound at a stated speed of 35 mph. For unknown reasons, Loredo lost control, crossed the double-yellow line into the eastbound lane colliding head-on with Torrez. Loredo was uninjured. Torrez was transported by AMR to Desert Regional Medical Center for lacerations. Both vehicles were towed by Valley Auto.
Despite numerous forecasts of a strong El Niño arriving this winter, sometimes the actual weather surprises us. For several weeks, the National Weather Service’s has forecast that there is a “… 95 percent chance El Niño will continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter 2015-16, gradually weakening through spring 2016.” Yet chances are not certainties. For…
Chad Mills of Idyllwild crashed his Subaru Impreza around 11:45 p.m. Sunday on Highway 243 at Riverside County Playground Road blocking the northbound lane. According to witnesses, Mills and his three passengers left the scene on foot before authorities arrived. The cause of the crash in under investigation.
The big point of contention leading up to, at and since the last Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) board of commissioners meeting is an ordinance proposal. Resolution 513, requiring automatic sprinklers, would replace Resolution 480. The item was tabled to the Sept. 22 IFPD board of commissioners meeting. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m….
Mountain Top Liquor’s surveillance video, given to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, shows the gunman who robbed the store Sunday night. But few identifying features are visible, because the man’s body, face and hands were covered. He wore a tan and cream colored jacket, a black bandana on his face, black gloves and black pants….
An Idyllwild man was given two years probation Tuesday, Feb. 15, after pleading guilty to two counts of child exploitation Monday, Dec. 6, in a Riverside County Superior Court.The Riverside County District Attorney’s (DA) Child Exploitation Team arrested Ryan Christopher Lujan, 26, of Idyllwild on April 8, 2021, with the DA’s office charging him with…
Sheriff’s log The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station responded to the following calls Sunday to Saturday, Dec. 11 to 17. Idyllwild • Dec. 11 — Trespassing, 28000 block of Saunders Meadow Rd. Handled by deputy. • Dec. 12 — Miscellaneous criminal, 53000 block of Double View Dr. Handled by deputy. • Dec. 13 —…