UPDATE: Alleged Drugged Driver Crashes Into Deputy On Ortega Highway

The man who was allegedly driving under the influence has passed away.

EDITOR'S UPDATE 12/22: According to a family member of James Ryan, the man suspected of causing yesterday's crash on the Ortega, Ryan has been under doctors' care for small cell carcinoma that has spread to his brain. Ryan has been taking prescription medications, but was never advised not to drive, according to the family member.  

CHP Officer Nathan Baer said motorists should be advised that impairment can be caused by substances other than alcohol or illegal drugs.

"Doctor prescribed medication can impair a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle," Baer said. "The CHP urges patients to consult with their doctors about the side effects and impairments that are caused by prescribed drugs."

Ryan was arrested and cited, Baer reported.

ORIGINAL POST 12/21: This morning’s was caused by a drugged driver, the California Highway Patrol is reporting.

Lake Elsinore resident James Ryan, 66, was placed under arrest at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar today for allegedly being under the influence of drugs when he smashed his white Toyota Prius head on into a silver Honda Civic driven by an off-duty Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy this morning, the CHP reported.

The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on the Ortega (SR-74), just west of El Cariso Village.

Just prior to the crash, witnesses along the Ortega reported seeing Ryan driving erratically, as he weaved in and out of the westbound lane of traffic, according to CHP. He was traveling at a speed of about 35 to 40 mph, then he drifted into the eastbound lane and crashed head on into the Civic, the CHP reported.

Ryan and the off-duty deputy, whose identity was not provided, were transported to Inland Valley Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, the CHP reported.

At press time, there was no information available on when Ryan will appear in court.

Today's collision follows a deadly Nov. 18 solo-vehicle crash on the Ortega that left a 45-year-old Lake Elsinore woman dead. Margarita Gutierrez was killed after the Ford F-150 truck she was riding in was crashed into a tree. Then 18-year-old Francisco Jesus Ochoa was behind the wheel and was later charged with driving under the influence of drugs.

to read about the crash.

On Dec. 16, Ochoa, also a Lake Elsinore resident, pleaded not guilty to a manslaugher charge. to read the story.