A tragic event unfolded on the streets of San Jacinto this past Monday, as deputies responded to what would become a fatal traffic collision. The crash, which occurred along State Street and Quandt Ranch Road, was reported at 4:24 p.m. and claimed the life of 48-year-old Javier Lopez Montes from Hemet, while the other driver, Darell Davis of Moreno Valley, was left with significant injuries. According to the Riverside Sheriff's Department, Montes was found unresponsive at the scene and was later pronounced dead by paramedics.
As investigations ensued, it quickly became clear that driver impairment was a likely factor — a suspicion that would place Davis, 34, under arrest for the murder of Montes. It wasn't Davis' first run-in with the law regarding driving under the influence. He had previous arrests for DUI. The local San Jacinto Traffic Team took the lead on the case, piecing together the circumstances that led Davis to veer into the oncoming lane for a head-on collision with Montes' vehicle, as per the Riverside Sheriff's Department.
The community has been encouraged to come forward with any relevant information, directing those potential tips to the Deputy Post at the San Jacinto Sheriff's Station or Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch.
