CBS News in Los Angeles reports that a Riverside County correctional deputy and his teen daughter were tragically killed in a suspected DUI crash in an unincorporated area of Hemet near Moreno Valley on Sunday night.
Riverside authorities say that the fatal crash happened at approximately 9:00 p.m. along Gilman Springs Road near the intersection of Gilman and Bridge Street when a black Chevy Silverado pickup truck heading westbound crossed the center line of the two-lane roadway and directly into the eastbound lanes and crashing into the Honda sedan occupied by the deputy and his daughter.
The California Highway Patrol, the Riverside Sheriff’s Department, and emergency crews responded to the crash scene. The deputy and his daughter were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspected DUI driver has been identified as 47-year-old Scott Bales. Bales was also injured in the crash and was taken to an area hospital for treatment. His current condition had not been released at the time of the report,
Upon Bales’ release, however, authorities say that Bales was arrested on suspicion of DUI and two counts of vehicular murder. Bales is also facing charges of inflicting great bodily harm on his passenger.
Bales is due to appear in Court on Wednesday, November 16.
The California Highway Patrol reminds the public that DUI crashes are not considered accidents because they are entirely preventable, and no family should face the tragedy of losing their loved ones.
