A 57-year-old motorist was fatally injured in Moreno Valley Thursday when her sedan was hit head-on by a car whose driver fell asleep at the wheel.
The deadly collision happened about 5:40 a.m. on Heacock Street, near Revere Place, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Sgt. Robert Grmusha said that the driver of a Kia Optima was going south on Heacock and “fell asleep and veered into the northbound lanes.”
Maria Kritzberger of Moreno Valley was going north on Heacock in her Toyota Camry and did not have time to steer clear when the Kia suddenly appeared in front of her, according to the sergeant.
The ensuing head-on crash inflicted catastrophic injuries to the victim, who was trapped inside the wreckage, Grmusha said.
He said that fire crews reached the location a short time later and extricated Kritzberger, who was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The Kia driver, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center for treatment.
The investigation is ongoing, Grmusha said.