Crime & Safety
CHP: Wrong Way Drunken Driver Behind Head-On Crash That Killed Banning Man
A Banning man died in a weekend crash near Menifee, after his vehicle was hit by a suspected drunken driver, according to the CHP and coroner's reports.
A suspected wrong-way drunken driver plowed his car head- on into an oncoming vehicle on Domenigoni Parkway, killing one person in the second car and badly hurting a 4-year-old girl in it, officials report.
Gerardo Cornejo, 20, of Nuevo, reportedly crossed over into the eastbound lanes, just west of Leon Road near Menifee. It was reported at about 10:05 p.m. Saturday.
Cornejo's 1994 Honda Civic slammed into a 2007 Suzuki RX4 that had three people in it. The front passenger, Amos Yang, 27, of Banning, was taken to Menifee Valley Medical Center, where he died.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
[RELATED: Lane Media was on scene, click here for more photos, video]
A four-year-old passenger in the Suzuki's back seat, Claire Yang, also of Banning, was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, according to the CHP. It was not known if the two passengers were related.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The driver of the Sukuki, Pa Thao, 27, of Banning, suffered major injuries and was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center. Her medical condition was not immediately known.
Cornejo's Civic also hit a Dodge Ram pickup truck, and the two people in it had minor injuries.
Cornejo was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center for treatment of major injuries and was arrested for suspicion of drunken driving, the CHP said.
—City News Service.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
