Staff Reports

Inland Empire– Ongoing operations have been conducted to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians to help prevent accidents. Here is a recap of the news releases from Riverside County’s Sheriff’s Department and Corona Police Department.

Norco- On May 20, Norco’s Sheriff’s officers conducted a Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on Hamner Avenue and Second Street between the hours of 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Officers paid special attention to drivers and pedestrians who sped, made illegal turns, failed to stop for signs and signals, failed to yield to pedestrians, and other violations. During the operation, a total of 67 citations were issued for the following: 38 for failing to stop at red light, 25 for failing to stop for pedestrian in crosswalk, 3 for distracted driving,  and 1 misdemeanor warrant.

Corona- On May 22, the Corona Police Department responded to the 2000 block of Promenade Avenue of a vehicle versus a pedestrian traffic collision. At arrival, officers found a 15-year-old deceased body. Corona Police Departments Collision Reconstruction Team responded to handle the investigation. They believe the victim purposely entered the roadway. The driver involved was not injured or cited and the investigation remains active.

Jurupa Valley- On May 23, in Jurupa Valley, a fatal traffic collision occurred on Van Buren cross of Etiwanda. The driver was a 26-year-old male who was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was driving a Honda civic traveling south on Van Buren Boulevard, in which he veered off the roadway and struck a tree. Anyone with information is urged to contact Deputy Krusbe at the Jurupa Valley Station Traffic Department at (951) 955-2600.

Corona- On May 28, Corona Police Department and Corona Fire Department responded to the area of Hidden Valley East on the I-15 freeway for reports of a severe injury related traffic collision. A Ford Fusion driven by Debbie Ward of Norco entered the roadway and in the path of two motorcyclists, which were Zachariah Macias, 24-years old of Norco, and Phillip Borja, 25-years old of Upland. Borja struck the driver’s side and Macias took an evasive action to avoid colliding with the Ford Fusion, forcing him to drive eastbound in the westbound lanes of travel on Hidden Valley. Both motorcyclists ended up striking a Volkswagon Beetle driven by Marissa Frantz of Corona. The second collision caused Borja’s motorcycle and the Beetle to both catch fire. Both Macias and Borja were transported to Riverside Community Hospital for serious injuries. Macias was released from the hospital but Borja died at the hospital from the injuries he received. No arrests were made, and no one was cited. This collision is being further investigated by the Corona Police Department’s Collision Response Team. Anyone with information is asked to contact Traffic Investigation Clark Eveland at (951) 817-5764 or email at clark.eveland@DiscoverCorona.com