Riverside Police Department
Press Release

 

For Immediate Release
Date January 26, 2003
Contact Sergeant Don Taulli
Phone (909) 826-5576
Fax (909) 826-5577

 

Major Injury Traffic Collision

Riverside, Ca
Location: Main St. & Strong St. Riverside, Ca. 92501
Date: 01-29-03
Time: 12:15 AM

Vehicle-1: Blue/1994 Chevrolet Camaro
Driver: Angela Souza (19)
City of Residence: Moreno Valley, Ca.
Injuries: Trauma to the head and body. Deceased at Riverside Community Hospital.
Passenger: Cesar Zulueta (20)
City of Residence: Moreno Valley, Ca.
Injuries: Trauma to the head and body. Admitted to Riverside Community Hospital.

Vehicle-2: 2001 Peterbuilt Tractor W/two (2) 4800-gallon gasoline tanker trailers (Empty)
Driver: Laurren Griefnow (44)
City of Residence: Calimesa, Ca.
Injuries: None

Narrative: At approximately 12:15 AM on 01-29-03 the Riverside Police Department responded to a collision on Main St. @ Strong St. A Blue 1994 Camaro driven by Ms. Souza and a semi tractor /trailer driven by Mr. Griefnow had collided.

The vehicle driven by Ms. Souza was traveling E/on Strong St. approaching Main St. at a very high rate of speed. The semi tractor/trailer driven by Mr. Griefnow was N/B on Main St. @ Strong St. According to independent witnesses the Camaro failed to stop for the red traffic signal and collided with the semi tractor/trailer.

The force of the collision caused the Camaro to slide beneath the second trailer and shear off the rear wheels of the trailer. The subsequent force of the collision pushed the trailer into a wooden telephone pole and a metal traffic signal pole shearing them both off.

The driver and passenger of the Camaro were treated at the scene by members of the Riverside Fire Department and AMR and transported to Riverside Community Hospital and treated by the hospital emergency room staff. The driver of the Camaro, Ms. Souza, was pronounced deceased by the hospital staff. The passenger was admitted to the hospital for treatment. The driver of the semi tractor/trailer, Mr. Griefnow declined medical treatment at the scene.

The investigation is being conducted by the Riverside Police Department Major Accident Investigation (MAIT) Team.