A Thursday afternoon skydive in Perris ended in tragedy when one person was pronounced dead at the scene, and another was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Riverside County Fire Department crews were called just before 2 p.m. to a rural area near 600 E. Ellis Avenue, where emergency personnel found the two victims. Officials have not yet released the identities of those involved or what may have caused the crash, saying more details will follow as the investigation moves forward.
The Riverside County Fire Department said crews reached the site shortly before 2 p.m., where one patient was declared dead and the second was transported with life-threatening injuries, according to CBS Los Angeles. At the time of that report, authorities had not provided any additional information about what led up to the incident.
Investigation and next steps
The county coroner typically responds to on-scene fatalities and handles identification and cause-of-death work, while federal agencies have sometimes reviewed parachuting deaths in past Perris-area cases, the Los Angeles Times reported. Investigators in this latest case are expected to look at whether the jump was part of an organized event, how the equipment functioned, and what the weather conditions were at the time.
Where this happened and local context
Skydive Perris remains a busy hub for the sport. Its schedule is packed with regular multi-day camps and training running through May 2026; Skydive Perris' calendar lists several big-way and coaching events on the books this month. The drop zone and the larger skydiving community have also been dealing with recent loss, including a double fatality at a Perris jump reported in August 2024.
What residents should know
The incident took place in a rural area near the drop zone, and there was no immediate indication of a broader public-safety threat. Authorities have not yet shared details about how the crash unfolded or whether any property was damaged. Riverside County officials and local responders have not released further information, per CBS Los Angeles. People living near Perris Valley Airport who saw the emergency response were asked to steer clear so crews and investigators could work the scene without interference.
This remains a developing story, and Hoodline will update coverage as officials release more information and investigators share their findings. Anyone who witnessed the jump or captured video or photos is urged to contact Riverside County authorities or local reporters so investigators can review any potential evidence.
