Details Released In Deadly Temecula Freeway Crash

Temecula CA

20 August, 2021

1:04 PM

Description

TEMECULA, CA — A 36-year-old man suspected of causing a fatal crash on Interstate 15 while driving drunk in Temecula remained behind bars Friday morning. Jawed Ahmad Naweed of Menifee was booked into Southwest Detention Center late Thursday night on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, drunken driving, and DUI causing great bodily injury. At approximately 9:50 p.m. Thursday, Naweed was allegedly driving onto the I-15 north from eastbound Rancho California Road in Temecula at a "high rate of speed" when he lost control of his 2021 Mercedes AMG C 63 S, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Mercedes went across northbound freeway lanes and directly into the path of a 2016 Lexus ES 350. The Lexus went out of control and smashed into the freeway's concrete center divider, killing 80-year-old passenger Adelina Briones of Gardena who was not wearing a safety belt, according to a CHP report. The Mercedes continued spinning out of control toward the freeway's slow lanes and into the path of a 2013 GMC Acadia driven by a San Diego resident. All the vehicles came to a rest, but Naweed allegedly sped off before returning to the scene and surrendering to CHP officers. Two other people in the Lexus, both Gardena residents, were hospitalized with moderate injuries. The San Diego driver and a 15-year-old passenger were also sent to the hospital with moderate injuries. Jaweed was not hospitalized, the CHP reported. According to jail records, Jaweed was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail and is due to appear in court Tuesday. The freeway was closed from 10 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. during the CHP's investigation. CHP Officer Mike Lassig reminded the motoring public to "always designate a sober driver and always wear your seatbelt."