A man killed when the car in which he was riding slammed into an embankment alongside Interstate 15 in Murrieta because the driver was allegedly under the influence of drugs was identified Thursday.
Alvaro Parra Rodriguez, 25, of Ramona was fatally injured about 12:30 p.m. Saturday on southbound I-15, just north of California Oaks Road.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Rodriguez was in the front passenger seat of a 2006 Honda Civic driven by 23-year-old Agustin Martinez when the sedan veered off of the freeway at 75 mph.
“The vehicle impacted a dirt embankment,” Officer Mike Lassig said. “(Rodriguez) was not wearing a seatbelt (and) was thrown into the rear seating area … before the Honda came to rest on the right shoulder.”
Murrieta Fire & Rescue personnel reached the location within 10 minutes and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Martinez suffered moderate injuries and was taken to an Inland Empire trauma center for treatment. He was still in recovery Thursday.
CHP officers confirmed that he was driving under the influence of unspecified drugs, Lassig alleged.
Background information on the suspect was unavailable.