Fatal Traffic Collision

Riverside, Ca-  On Monday June 7, at about 8:44 PM, Riverside Police Officers responded to the area of Chicago Avenue and Ransom Road to investigate reports of an injury traffic collision. Upon arrival officers located a newer model Ford Mustang in a ravine, 100’ feet below the roadway.

The Mustang was traveling northbound on Chicago Avenue at a high rate of speed when the driver apparently lost control. The car drifted across the center divider and into the southbound lanes. The driver was unable to recover and collided with a concrete light standard before leaving the roadway edge.

Members of the Riverside Fire Department Urban Rescue Team responded and extricated the male driver and rear female passenger. The front passenger, Chad Halstead, 27 years old from Riverside, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The surviving occupants were transported to local hospitals and received treatment for their injuries. The driver, Edgar Smith, 44 years old from Riverside, was suspected of driving while under the influence and was arrested as part of the preliminary investigation.

The Riverside Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team responded and is further investigating the incident.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact Detective Dwayne May at 909-826-5179.