A 21-year-old man is dead and a 20-year-old woman remained hospitalized Sunday after a crash involving a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department vehicle, the California Highway Patrol announced.
The crash was reported around 10 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Cherry Valley Boulevard and Roberts Street, according to the CHP.
The 2018 Ford Explorer patrol vehicle was being driven by a 41-year-old deputy from the sheriff’s Cabazon station who was responding to a call for service. The vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens were active as the deputy was traveling westbound on Cherry Valley Boulevard, approaching Roberts Street, the CHP added.
Simultaneously, a 2018 Tesla Model 3 driven by 21-year-old Gavin Hinkey of Cherry Valley was stopped southbound on Roberts at Cherry Valley and allegedly made a left turn as the patrol vehicle was approaching. The Tesla was broadsided by the patrol vehicle, and Hinkey was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
The passenger, identified as Madeline Fox of Cherry Valley, was rushed to a hospital after suffering major injuries.
The deputy, who allegedly was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, suffered minor injuries. His identity was not available.
CHP investigators said they do not believe drugs and alcohol were a factor in the crash, but the crash remained under investigation. Anyone with additional information was encouraged to contact the CHP’s San Gorgonio Pass office at 951-846-5300.
They left out the part about the deputy sheriff who was going 92 mph when he hit the Tesla.