Teen Critically Injured in Early Morning Crash

A 13-year-old was critically injured early Friday in a car accident in Menifee, near the city's boundary with Murrieta.

The crash occurred at 12:02 a.m. Friday near Leon Road and Fowler Drive, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Three teenage passengers were in a vehicle being driven at high rate of speed by a 17-year-old when the car crashed, according to a news release.

"The driver lost control of the vehicle and crossed over the southbound lane of Leon Road and left the roadway," said Menifee police Sgt. Mark Rigali.

"The vehicle slammed into a utility pole, shearing it at the base, and continued traveling northbound along a fence, before coming to rest."

A 16-year-old and a 13-year-old were both ejected from the vehicle. Two of the occupants were from San Diego, and the other from Murrieta--though it was unclear which one.

All three occupants were taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment.

Rigali said the 13-year-old suffered major injuries and as of Friday morning, was considered to be in critical condition.

The Menifee Traffic Reconstruction Team conducted a preliminary accident investigation, which Rigali said revealed that the unsafe speed was most likely the primary cause of the accident.

No charges had been filed and an investigation was ongoing.

Because a power pole was hit, the crash caused customers in the area to lose power. Southern California Edison responded to restore power to those affected.

Anyone with further information about the incident was asked to call Deputy Jared Howe at 951-210-1000.