On Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 3:05 a.m. a Murrieta Police officer attempted a traffic stop in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Murrieta Hot Springs Road in the City of Murrieta for a vehicle code violation. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop for the officer, and vehicle pursuit ensued. The vehicle accelerated and traveled northbound on Jefferson Avenue towards the intersection of Los Alamos Road. The vehicle entered the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Los Alamos Road, and was involved in a traffic collision with another motorist. The pursued vehicle rolled with forward momentum as the result of the collision and crossed the southbound lane of Jefferson Avenue. The vehicle collided with another Murrieta Police officer who was responding in his patrol vehicle on southbound Jefferson Avenue to assist with the pursuit.
The vehicle involved in the pursuit was occupied by two subjects. Both subjects sustained major injuries and were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The second vehicle that was involved in the initial traffic collision was occupied by two subjects. Both subjects sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported to a regional hospital for treatment.
The officer involved in the second traffic collision was extricated from his patrol vehicle and was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment of major injuries—the officer’s injuries are not considered life threatening. The nature of the involved parties’ injuries will not be released at this time.
Investigators from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the California Highway Patrol’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to the scene and have assumed the investigation. The Murrieta Police Department’s Traffic Bureau and Detective Bureau will also be assisting with the investigation. This is a fluid investigation, and more information will follow as the investigation progresses.
Anyone with information regarding this traffic collision is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Ron Driscoll at 951-461-6377 or at [email protected] You can also provide information anonymously through “We Tip” at 1-800-78-CRIME.