Deadly Collision on 91 Freeway
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – A 24-year-old motorist accused of killing a man in a fiery wreck caused while the defendant was driving under the influence on the Riverside (91) Freeway in Corona was charged Monday with DUI gross vehicular manslaughter.
Christopher Magallon of Santa Ana allegedly inflicted fatal injuries on the victim, identified only as “J.C.,” on April 29 along the westbound 91, near the Interstate 15 interchange.
Magallon, who is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail at the Robert Presley Jail, was slated to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
He was originally booked into custody immediately after the fatal crash, and California Highway Patrol investigators submitted a request to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for a criminal complaint against him.
However, prosecutors returned the case to the CHP Wednesday based on unspecified evidentiary concerns, and Magallon’s speedy arraignment window guaranteed by state law came and went, leading to his “flash release” from custody. Before he could leave the downtown jail, he was re-arrested on the same allegations, and the case was re-submitted to the D.A.’s office, with clarifying additional details, culminating in the complaint being filed Monday morning.
According to the CHP, Magallon was at the wheel of a Lincoln Mark LT traveling at an unconfirmed speed on the westbound 91 about 12:30 a.m. on April 29, approaching the I-15 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,” 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 pickup when officers detained him.
Navarro alleged that evidence collected at the scene confirmed the defendant was drunk.
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