Man Killed in Four-Vehicle Crash Near Perris

PERRIS - A 19-year-old man was killed and four people were injured in a multi-car crash west of Perris triggered when a driver veered into oncoming traffic, a California Highway Patrol officer said today.

Ronald Cole of Wildomar died last night from injuries suffered in a collision on state Route 74, near Meadowbrook Avenue.

According to CHP Officer Nathan Baer, Cole was driving his 2004 Honda Civic west on the four-lane highway around 9 p.m. when he allowed the car to drift into the opposing traffic lanes -- straight into the path of another Honda Civic driven by 23-year-old Cody Testi of Riverside.

Testi attempted to swerve to avoid a head-on collision, but wasn't able to maneuver in time, according to Baer.

He said the impact caused Cole's sedan to spin into the path of a Nissan Pathfinder, which struck the vehicle broadside on the driver's side.

A woman driving a Chrysler 300 a short distance behind the Pathfinder plowed through the crash debris, but didn't hit the other vehicles, Baer said.

Cole died at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar about an hour after the crash.

The 19-year-old's two passengers, a man and woman, were hospitalized with moderate to major injuries.

Testi suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

According to Baer, the driver of the Pathfinder declined treatment, and the woman at the wheel of the Chrysler was transported to a Menifee hospital for treatment of minor injuries.