A 48-year-old man died in a chain reaction crash caused by a motorist who steered into oncoming traffic in Murrieta, authorities said Friday.
Raymond Ayala of Hemet was fatally injured about 2:20 p.m. Thursday on Winchester Road, just south of Briggs Road, according to the Murrieta Police Department.
Lt. Spencer Parker said that Ayala was going south on Winchester in his Chevrolet Camaro, following a Toyota Tacoma pickup, when the driver of a northbound Nissan Altima abruptly veered into oncoming traffic.
The Nissan slammed into the Toyota, causing Ayala’s Camaro and a Kia Sorrento to hit the pickup and Nissan, according to Parker.
Murrieta Fire & Rescue personnel reached the location within a few minutes and pronounced Ayala dead at the scene.
The Nissan driver, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered major injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition, according to the lieutenant.
He said the other motorists escaped with minor injuries and did not require hospitalization.
The crash remains under investigation, and anyone with information was asked to contact Murrieta police Investigator Kurt Stickelman at 951-461-6306.