Moreno Valley, CA (June 6, 2024) – A tragic incident early Thursday morning resulted in the death of a young woman who was struck by a vehicle on the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway.
Incident Details: Ernestine Jones, a 22-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, was fatally injured after entering the westbound lanes of the freeway near Perris Boulevard around 3 a.m. The circumstances that led her to walk into traffic remain unclear and are under investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). According to CHP Officer Javier Navarro, Jones was hit by a Toyota Corolla. The impact caused her to be thrown down an embankment along the right shoulder of the freeway. The driver of the Toyota stopped immediately and remained at the scene. Paramedics from the Riverside County Fire Department arrived shortly thereafter but pronounced Jones dead at the scene. The driver of the Toyota was questioned by CHP officers, who determined that he was not impaired by alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. He was allowed to leave the scene in his vehicle after providing his statement and cooperating with the preliminary investigation.
Investigation and Legal Implications: The CHP’s Riverside office is actively seeking witnesses to the incident or anyone who might have information that could help explain why Jones was on the freeway. Investigators are particularly interested in understanding the sequence of events that led to this fatal collision. However, in addition to why Jones was on the highway, there are other questions that must be answered. Why couldn’t the driver see her until the last second? This particular section of the highway does not have any lighting either, and, given that the accident happened at 3 a.m., this could have contributed to the crash. Based on this information, the family of the victim may benefit from speaking to a wrongful death lawyer.
My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Ernestine Jones during this incredibly difficult time. I hope that the investigation reveals more information about the events leading up to the accident.
Source: Patch