Crash on Domenigoni kills 16-year-old girl, 1-year-old boy

Police block off Domenigoni Parkway near where a collision resulted in two fatalities. (Photo by Mindy DeRubbo Dreisbach)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Note: Story has been updated with the identity of the 1-year-old.

A 16-year-old girl and her 1-year-old brother died and their older sister is recovering from injuries in a hospital following a two-vehicle collision Wednesday night, a family member said.

According to the Menifee Police Department, a Corona man faces vehicular manslaughter charges in connection with the collision, which happened about 5:21 p.m. Wednesday on Domenigoni Parkway west of Lindenberger Road.

A cousin of the family told Menifee 24/7 that the older sister is “resting” in a hospital with an injury to her spleen. Her age was not given. The family has asked for privacy at this time, the cousin said.

“My aunt and uncle are physically OK, but none of them are emotionally stable and OK right now, for understandable reasons,” the cousin said. “She [the hospitalized sister] is not wanting to talk, and they are all emotionally distraught.”

The parents have six children, but three of them were at a grandparents’ house at the time of the accident, the cousin said. The Coroner's Office on Friday identified the 1-year-old boy as Legend Aries Girard. The identity of the deceased 16-year-old has not been released.

“They travel to fix, refurbish and sell pool tables,” the cousin said about the family, which is from San Jacinto. “I’m not sure which they were doing yesterday.”

The initial investigation determined that a Chevrolet Silverado truck carrying the family with an attached trailer, was traveling west on Domenigoni near where it becomes Newport Road, close to Laguna Vista Drive. A Ford F-150 was traveling in the same direction when it veered out of its lane and collided with the driver side of the Chevrolet truck, according to a Menifee PD press release.

The Chevrolet truck lost control, crossed over the center divider, and rolled onto its side. The two juveniles were ejected from the cab of the truck.

Emergency personnel responded included Cal Fire, an off-duty San Diego County Sheriff’s deputy, a search and rescue medic, and Menifee PD. They arrived to find the two juveniles in the roadway. Despite lifesaving efforts, the juveniles died at the scene.

The driver of the Ford F-150 was identified as Logan Schell, 18, of Corona. He was not injured and was cooperative with investigators. After police conferred with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Shell was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and was booked into custody at the Cois Byrd Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing, but DUI does not appear to be a factor, police said.

Schell was released on bail today and has a Jan. 12 court date in Murrieta, according to jail records.

The driver of the Chevrolet sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention.

The roadway was closed for several hours during the traffic investigation. One witness remained on scene, but it is believed there may be additional witnesses who were not contacted at the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit at 951-723-1690 or Sergeant Matt Bloch at 951-723-1565 or mbloch@menifeepolice.org.