Woman Arrested on DUI Charge in Fatal Accident in Menifee

An 86-year-old Menifee woman died Thursday in a traffic accident that resulted in the arrest of the driver of the other vehicle on felony DU...

An 86-year-old Menifee woman died Thursday in a traffic accident that resulted in the arrest of the driver of the other vehicle on felony DUI charges.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, according to a Riverside County Sheriff's Dept. report. The woman was a passenger in a Saturn vehicle that was making a left turn from eastbound McCall Blvd. onto northbound Encanto Drive when the car was struck by a Chevrolet SUV traveling west on McCall.

According to police, the investigation determined that the driver of the SUV was distracted by her 3-year-old child in the back seat. Her vehicle entered the intersection against a red light.

The driver of the Chevrolet was determined to have been operating her vehicle while under the influence, police said. Melissa Dean-Baumann, 37, of Fallbrook was arrested and booked at the Southwest Detention Center for felony DUI, manslaughter, and felony child endangerment.

The driver of the Saturn suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or may have further information is asked to call the Menifee Police Department Traffic Division at 951-210-1000.

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  1. Who ever thinks that an 86 year old woman is going to die from a drunk driving accident? The irony of it... Poor family. May the lady rest in peace.

    I'm 42 years old and a newly retired 24-year military veteran. I've been in bars and clubs all over this planet and have drank (and over-drank) many times. Yet, I have never found it to be necessary to drive while intoxicated. To add to the risk of death is irresponsible to family, friends, strangers, and one's self. This chick from Fallbrook knew this and yet she drove drunk with her child in the car. This chick will be rotting her ass off in prison for a long time - and rightfully so. One less P-O-S on our streets. Keep Menifee safe for our children (and, obviously, grandmothers)!

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  2. unfortunately i know the drive and her children and i am almost best friend's with her mother. this is so so so sad. i am so sorry for the loss of a human life over anyone's stupidity. (drinking and driving), i am so sorry for the family of that innocent lady. My poor friend with her now daughter in jail and 3 children without a mom.;........this is a life lesson to all that views this do not drive under the influence for any GOD DAMN REASON!!!!!!!!!

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  3. Phyllis was on her way to the beauty salon. She had a 12:30 appointment with me and when she didn't show up and I saw the traffic accident down the street I just knew that her and her husband were involved. I can't believe she is gone. I did her hair every week for 15 years. She was a sweet, kind, and gentle soul that didn't deserve to die this way. She and her Husband were so in love and now he is alone. May she rest in peace.

    It is inconceivable how a 37 year old mother of 3 would consider driving under the influence especially with her child in the car. Thank God her child wasn't injured. I hope she thinks about the precious life she took every day and it haunts her for the rest of her life.

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  4. This is disgusting and our laws will allow this person who did it to walk free. Too many people get multiple DUI's and then end up killing someone else and not themselves.
    I don't know about the rest of you but if anyone is ever convicted of a single DUI they need to lose their license for life. They also should be monitored and registered so they can NEVER purchase alchohol again. It's in the news all the time and this happens far to often.

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  5. My heart goes out to both families. Someone made a horrible choice to drive when she shouldn't have and as a result has taken someones life. Now, she, her children & her parents have to live with this for the rest of their lives. Please remember there is more than one family involved in this horrible accident.

    ReplyDelete

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