Suspected Drunk Driver Caused Deadly Lakeland Village Head-On Crash, CHP Says

Two drivers have been killed in a head-on crash in Lakeland Village and alcohol may have been involved, authorities have confirmed.

The crash reported at 5:51 p.m. Tuesday on Grand Avenue at Adelfa Street involved a charcoal Toyota truck and a white Plymouth Neon.

In addition to the two fatalities, one adult male passenger was transported to an area hospital for treatment of moderate injuries, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann.

The fatalities were both adult males, Hagemann said.

The injured passenger was traveling in the truck.

No other injuries were reported.

CHP is investigating the crash.

CHP Officer Brian Keene said the driver of the truck was not wearing a seatbelt and was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

Before the crash, witnesses reported seeing the truck driver and his passenger at a nearby thrift store, Keene said. The men were looking for a microwave oven to purchase, and they were staggering, their speech was slurred, and they had Budweiser beers in their hands, the officer confirmed.

The men then got in the truck, headed southbound on Grand Avenue traveling in the center turn lane at a high rate of speed, Keene said. The Neon was stopped in the turn lane facing northbound when the truck smashed into it at 70 to 80 mph, Keene said.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was not wearing a safety belt; the truck passenger and the driver of the Neon were both restrained, Keene said.

Grand Avenue is expected to be shut down in both directions until approximately 9:30 p.m. and eastbound Ortega Highway traffic is backed up as a result.

The names of the deceased and their ages will be published when they are released by the Riverside County Coroner's Office. [CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED STORY THAT CONTAINS THE CORONER'S INFORMATION.] Both vehicles were registered out of Lake Elsinore, Keene said. --Daniel Lane contributed to this report.