Traffic crash on Interstate 15 kills one, injures three others; DUI suspected

A 49-year old woman rear-ended a car on Interstate 15 early this morning, causing both vehicles to veer out of control, hit a guardrail, and plummet down an embankment near West Lilac Road

At approximatgely 1:50 a.m. Sat., Nov. 19, Katherine Heinzel, 49, of Winchester was traveling northbound on Interstate 15 near West Lilac Road at a high rate of speed when she approached the rear of a 1992 Toyota Camry being driven by Dazionne Kelly, 20, of Perris. The Camry was traveling at approximately 70 miles per hour.

"Mrs. Heinzel approached the rear of the Toyota Camry and failed to slow or change lanes," said Chris Parent, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol (CHP). "The front of her Nissan Altima collided with the rear of the Toyota Camry, causing both the drivers to lose control of their respective vehicles and veer across northbound lanes."

"Both the Camry and Altima collided with the metal guardrail on the right shoulder," continued Parent. "The impact was so severe that both vehicles broke through the guardrail and continued down the steep embankment where they came to rest."

Passengers in Dazionne Kelly's vehicle was right front passenger Brian Morast Jr., 20, of Perris, and right rear passenger Kris Walker, 19, of Perris.

"After the involved vehicles came to rest, Mr. Walker rendered assistance to Mrs. Heinzel, pulling her from the vehicle just prior to it catching fire," said Parent. "Mrs. Heinzel sustained major injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to Palomar Regional Medical Center where she is being treated for her injuries and held on suspicion of driving under the influnece."

Dazionne Kelly suffered fatal injuries as a result of the collision.

"Mr. Morast Jr. suffered major injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to Sharp hospital in San Diego where he is in critical condition," reported Parent. "Mr. Walker suffered moderate injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to Palomar Regional Medical Center."