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
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.
Now that it’s snake season, it’s time to review some facts for residentswho may encounter these creatures close to home or on the trails. Wereached out to Idyllwild Nature Center Ranger Sonny Waldron. Waldronconfirmed that the only local snakes that pose a danger to humans arerattlers. “The only venomous snakes here in riverside county arerattlesnakes….
Idyllwild FireThe Idyllwild Fire Protection District responded to these calls from Monday to Sunday, April 25 to May 1. • April 26 — EMS call, provide advanced life support, 10 a.m. Maranatha Dr.• April 26 — EMS call, provide ALS, 12:04 p.m. Tollgte Rd.• April 26 — Power line down, 6 p.m. Hemstreet Pl.• April…
The U.S. Forest Service plans to resume burns on Thomas Mountain today, April 2. In January, the Forest Service burned about 240 acres. About 200 acres are left on the unit between Anza and Garner Valley, according to Zach Behrens, public affairs officer for the San Bernardino National Forest The project could last over a…
The Idyllwild Water District (IWD) directors met Wednesday Feb. 21, their first public meeting with their new interim General Manager (GM) Curt Sauer. Among important actions that night was the board approving a bid for the repair of the lower administrative office building. The district received two bids for the Lower Administrative Office project, with…
At its April 3 meeting, the Riverside County Planning Commissionunanimously (4-0) recommended a policy authorizing digital on-sitesigns. Before it is effective, the board of supervisors will have toapprove it. The change would amend Ordinance 348, “Land Use Planning and ZoningRegulations,” to allow digital signage only on a business’s site. InIdyllwild, the sign’s height would be…
65 years ago – 1948 “Ma’s New Husband” was chosen as the first play to be produced by the newly organized Mountain Players. 60 years ago – 1953 More than 150 people pledged $10 each for benches to be placed at the Town Hall campfire area. 55 years ago – 1958 Temperatures dropped…
