Crime & Safety
Texting, DUI Crash Highlights Dangers Of Disobeying The Law
A CHP officer alleges the crash victim was under the influence and in the middle of composing or reading a text when she crashed her car.
A Newport Beach woman seriously hurt in a rollover crash in Riverside that left another motorist and her passenger with minor injuries was allegedly speeding and texting while driving under the influence, the California Highway Patrol reported today.
Teresa Lynn Hyde, 27, suffered major injuries Sunday night when her vehicle struck a car on the Riverside (91) Freeway and then crashed on an exit ramp as she was allegedly trying to flee the scene, according to CHP Officer Steve Carapia.
He said the collision happened just after 7 p.m. as Hyde was heading west on the 91, near Magnolia Avenue. She was allegedly driving 90 mph when her 2003 Lexus IS300 sideswiped a 1997 Ford Expedition driven by a 27-year-old Riverside woman, according to Carapia.
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The officer alleged Hyde was in the middle of composing or reading a text -- a violation of state law when someone is behind the wheel.
"After the impact, Hyde attempted to flee the scene by making a hard right turn in an attempt to exit the freeway at or near an off-ramp, traveling off the road and overturning," Carapia alleged. "Hyde, being unrestrained, was ejected from her vehicle and was pinned underneath."
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Firefighters extricated the suspect, who was transported to Riverside Community Hospital, where she was listed in serious but stable condition.
The other driver and her passenger both suffered minor injuries, but only the passenger was treated at the hospital, Carapia said.
He said Hyde will be arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and hit-and-run when she's released from the hospital.
