A crash on State Route 74 that clogged traffic Friday night and claimed a young woman’s life was the result of drunken driving, authorities are now reporting.
Theresa Jean Estes, 53, of Lake Elsinore was arrested for felony driving under the influence, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and murder, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Nathan Baer.
The crash was reported just before 5 p.m. on the busy highway near Spring Street, east of the 15 Freeway in unincorporated area, just outside Lake Elsinore.
Estes was driving a 2004 red Nissan Sentra and attempted to make a left turn on to eastbound SR 74 from Spring Street, but didn’t yield to a white 1997 Honda Civic driven by 18-year-old Ashleigh Brooks of Lake Elsinore, who was heading westbound on the state route, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
The young woman tried to brake, but hit Estes and crossed into eastbound SR 74 traffic where her car was smashed into by a 38-year-old Perris man driving a white three-axle Ford truck towing a black utility trailer, Baer said.
The man tried to stop, but was unable to avoid hitting the Honda, Baer confirmed.
“[The young woman] sustained major injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene,” Baer reported.
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RIP Ash. You will be misses little one
Why can't you homeowners start behaving like most people in the world? I love this country but I just don't understand how you keep allowing these murderers to function? Vigilante action=instant justice.....
I pray that the family of the poor girl can find some peace (although a parent should NEVER have to bury their child)! For Caring Resident...if the woman who was the drunk driver is a family member of yours, I hope you can find peace in knowing that your family member took a life! And of course it wasn't hers she took (it never is the drunk who dies). She made a choice to drive, yet again, drunk. Unfortunately, the other driver who she killed paid the ultimate price for Ms. Theresa's decision.
My deepest sympathies to Ashleigh's family and friends, especially her parents.
At the very least, she wouldn't be killing anyone else..would she?