Murrieta, CA – On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 8:08 a.m., the Murrieta Police Department Dispatch Center received a report of a traffic collision involving a pick-up truck and a pedestrian on Clinton Keith Road, east of Via Mariposa.
Murrieta Police Officers arrived on scene at 8:12 a.m. and found a female lying on the north side walk of Clinton Keith Road, east of Via Mariposa, suffering from significant injuries. Officers rendered aid and lifesaving measures.
Witnesses on scene described a white, full sized pick-up truck as being involved in the collision which reportedly fled the scene prior to police arrival. Additional officers arrived on scene and began canvasing the area for the pick-up truck. Officers located the truck a few blocks from the accident scene. The driver of the truck was identified as Rodney Phillips (57) of Hemet, California.
Through witness statements and physical evidence, officers learned that Phillips was traveling west on Clinton Keith Road in the Number 3 lane, east of Via Mariposa. An adult female was walking west on the north sidewalk of Clinton Keith Road in the same vicinity. Phillips’ truck drove onto the sidewalk and struck the pedestrian. The impact of the collision caused multiple life-threatening injuries to the pedestrian. She was transported to a local hospital for emergency care. Despite lifesaving efforts by emergency personnel both at the scene and at the hospital, the adult female later succumbed to her injuries.
Phillips is suspected to have been driving while under the influence and was arrested and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for Gross Vehicular Manslaughter (while intoxicated) and Fleeing the Scene of a Fatal Traffic Collision.
The Murrieta Police Department’s Traffic Bureau is conducting a full investigation into the cause of the collision. The Riverside County Coroner will determine the cause of death.
Anyone who has not been contacted by a Murrieta Police Officer or Investigator with information related to this traffic collision is encouraged to contact Murrieta Police Traffic Investigator Dale de Schepper at (951) 461-6304 or [email protected] or Traffic Bureau Sergeant Ontario Williams at (951) 461-6360 or [email protected].