Ashley Alcaraz Fatally Injured in DUI Collision on Benton Road in Murrieta

Fatal Four-Car Crash on the Intersection of Benton and Winchester Roads

MURRIETA, CA (April 8, 2018) – On Sunday evening around 5:38 PM, a multiple-vehicle collision took place at the intersection of Benton and Winchester Roads.

The deceased victim was identified on Monday by the Riverside County Coroner’s office as 27-year-old Ashley Alcaraz of Winchester.

According to reports, 59-year-old Elvis Tate of Winchester was traveling northbound on Winchester in a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, going around 50 mph. As he was approaching Benton, he ran a red light and struck a 2016 Honda Civic, driven by Alcazar. She had the green light and was making a left turn from westbound Benton to southbound Winchester.

Tate crashed the front of his car into the driver’s side of the Honda, killed Alcazar and injuring her passenger, 28-year-old Anthony L Lewis III of Winchester. He then continued to lose control of his vehicle and struck two other cars, a Toyota pickup truck and Fiat, that were stopped at a red light in the southbound lanes of Winchester.

Paramedics from the Riverside County Fire Department arrived at the scene and attempted resuscitation measures on Alcaraz, but she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at 6:07 PM. Lewis suffered major injuries and was transported to the Inland Medical Center for treatment. There is currently no update on his condition. The two other drivers sustained injuries and were treated on site.

Tate was arrested after being treated and released for moderate injuries, and booked into the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. He was later transferred to the Robert Presley Detention Center, and is being held on no-bail.

The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal collision. Witnesses with additional information are encouraged to call the Temecula office at (951) 506-2000 and refer to the accident as file number 01122.

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Wishing the family and friends of Ashley Alcaraz strength and support in this difficult time. May she rest in peace.

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If you have lost a loved or have been injured in an accident caused by the reckless driving of a person under the influence, contact the experienced attorneys at Sweet Law Group. We have over 40 years of experience in the legal field and have dealt with cases including personal injury, wrongful death, car crashes, and disability. Call now at (800) 203-3061 for a free initial meeting at a location nearest you.