Sun City Man Dies in Crash at Winchester, Scott Roads

A 55-year-old Sun City man was killed Friday in a car crash at Winchester and Scott roads, authorities said.

Ronald Owens succumbed to his injuries at 12:10 p.m. Friday at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta, where he was rushed following the 11:15 a.m. crash in Winchester, according to the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.

The accident occurred as a 71-year-old Perris man entered the intersection heading west from Washington Street in a white 2007 Chevy Silverado pickup truck, California Highway Patrol reported.

The Perris man was going about 25 mph in a construction zone and was approaching a red light at Winchester, the responding CHP officer wrote in his report.

Owens, driving a blue 1993 Mercury Marquis, was traveling south on Winchester, approaching a green light at the Washington Street/Scott Road intersection. He was driving at approximately 45 mph, the officer wrote.

The Perris man allegedly entered the intersection against the red light. Consequently, his truck collided with the left side of Owens' car, causing major damages to both vehicles, CHP reported.

The truck came to rest facing in a northerly direction in the intersection, blocking the eastbound lanes of Scott.

The Marquis came to rest facing in an easterly direction, south of the intersection, blocking the northbound left turn lane of Winchester to Scott.

CAL FIRE/Riverside County firefighters responded to the scene, where they found one of the patients—presumably Owens—trapped in a vehicle. A cut-and-rescue operation was performed before both patients were transported by ambulance to the hospital, wrote Melody Hendrickson, spokeswoman for CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, in an incident report.

Owens had been wearing his seat belt when he was hit.

The other driver survived the crash with minor injures.

The accident was still under investigation as of Friday afternoon.

Alcohol use was not suspected.