Two drivers were arrested after a five-vehicle crash that killed a 70-year-old Yorba Linda woman on the 15 Freeway in Jurupa Valley, the California Highway Patrol announced.
The crash was reported at about 3:40 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, on the northbound freeway north of Limonite Avenue, according to the CHP.
Cynthia Weymans was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Riverside County coroner’s office.
Three SUVs and two sedans were involved in the crash, which prompted the CHP to issue a Sigalert to shut down all northbound lanes and the Limonite on-ramp and take traffic off the freeway at Limonite Avenue.
According to a CHP public information officer, the crash occurred when a Chevrolet Cruze was driving northbound on I-15 and for unknown reasons, rear-ended a Mercedes SUV, causing the Mercedes to crash into the concrete center median.
A Jeep Wrangler, which was also traveling northbound on I-15, then crashed into the driver’s side of the Mercedes, causing Weymans’ fatal injuries, authorities said.
Simultaneously, the Chevrolet Cruze veered across all traffic lanes and onto the right shoulder, causing a Chevrolet Silverado to apply a “heave break” maneuver to avoid crashing into the Cruze, the CHP said. However, a Nissan Altima traveling just behind the Silverado was not able to stop and crashed into the rear of the Silverado.
The driver of the Cruze allegedly fled the scene, but was later located and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, hit-and-run and murder, according to the CHP.
The driver of the Wrangler was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
No additional injuries were reported and identifying information on the other people involved was not immediately available.
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