Deadly Collision on 91 Freeway
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – A 25-year-old motorist who killed a man in a fiery wreck caused while the defendant was driving under the influence on the Riverside (91) Freeway in Corona was bound for state prison Monday to begin serving a four-year term.
Christopher Magallon of Santa Ana pleaded guilty last month to DUI gross vehicular manslaughter under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. No charges were dismissed under the deal.
During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Superior Court Judge Gary Polk imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
Magallon killed the victim, identified in court documents only as “J.C.,” on April 29, 2024, along the westbound 91, near the Interstate 15 interchange. The victim was identified by his family as Jose Cornejo Cubias, days away from his 21st birthday. He had just been accepted for a student visa.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the defendant was at the wheel of a Lincoln Mark LT traveling at an unconfirmed speed about 12:30 in the morning, approaching the interchange, when he “veered to the right and struck the left rear” of a Toyota 4Runner.
“After the impact, the Toyota overturned and caught fire, with the driver trapped inside,” CHP Officer Javier Navarro said.
Corona Fire Department personnel reached the location within a few minutes and extinguished the fully engulfed SUV in the fast lane. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Magallon’s Lincoln was found broken down in the center divider. He was still in the luxury pickup when officers detained him.
Navarro said that evidence collected at the scene confirmed the defendant was drunk.
He had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
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