Fatal Traffic Collision 

July 28, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 6:51 p.m., deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station responded to the intersection of Rancho California Road and Riesling Court, Temecula, regarding a major injury traffic collision. Upon arrival, deputies located three vehicles with significant damage, and a pedestrian who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two passengers from one of the vehicles were transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

The Southwest Sheriff’s Station’s Traffic Team responded and assumed the investigation. During the investigation, deputies determined one of the drivers, later identified as Jonathan Ruiz, a 38-year-old resident of Bellflower, was under the influence of alcohol. Ruiz was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for murder and driving under the influence causing injury.

The identity of the decedent will not be released at this time, pending next of kin notification. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Deputy Samuel Strizver of the Southwest Sheriff’s Station at 951-696-3000 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office at 951-776-1099.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Joseph Sinz

File # TE262050140

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff's Office