Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Man Dies Following Fiery Crash In Wildomar

"I heard a big rumbling. I thought it was an earthquake -- or maybe a car crash."

A motorist who collided with a brick wall early Thursday morning on Grand Avenue in Wildomar has died, authorities are reporting.

The incident was reported at 2:38 a.m. in the 21600 block of the main thoroughfare that runs through Wildomar, Lakeland Village and Lake Elsinore, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann.

As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, deputies from the Wildomar Police Department were still on scene investigating the rollover crash, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Albert Martinez.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Grand Avenue, between Pasadena and Central, is closed during the investigation, which is expected to continue through 1:30 p.m. today, Martinez said.

The victim’s identity has not been released by authorities, however the Riverside County Coroner’s Office reports it expects to release information shortly. (UPDATE: Since this report was posted, the coroner has released the victim's name. Click here for the story.)

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Martinez said the man was in his 20s.

The crash was not the result of any police chase, and it's unknown at this time whether alcohol or drugs played a factor, the deputy reported.

According to Hagemann, the crash was fiery and the man was ejected from the vehicle.

Other vehicles in the vicinity were also damaged, Hagemann said.

According to a Patch reporter on scene at least three other vehicles, as well as the four-door sedan driven by the victim, were damaged.

Wildomar resident Nicole Gaspar, 20, heard the crash and saw the aftermath.

"I heard a big rumbling. I thought it was an earthquake -- or maybe a car crash," she said.

The family ran to a window and saw a car on fire with a body nearby.

"I started shaking," Gaspar said. "I feel bad for the parents of this kid."


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