Sunday's wreck along Placentia Avenue claims life of a city resident, authorities say
PERRIS, CA, (January 12, 2025) - A 26-year-old woman was fatally injured in a crash with a suspected DUI driver on Sunday around 12:20 a.m. in Perris, officials said. The Riverside Coroner’s Office later identified the victim as Jocelyn Mendoza.
Jocelyn Mendoza, 26, was fatally hurt after her vehicle was hit by an allegedly impaired driver along Placentia Avenue in Perris on Sunday around 12:20 a.m., according to authorities.
It happened at the intersection of Placentia Avenue and the southbound Interstate 215 Freeway.
A preliminary investigation by the Perris station’s Reconstruction Team found that a Toyota sedan, driven by Mendoza, was exiting the freeway at Placentia when it was hit by a westbound Dodge pickup. Tragically, Perris resident Mendoza died at the scene from injuries. The Dodge's driver, police said, tried to flee the scene but was arrested a short time later. He reportedly exhibited signs of intoxication.
The Dodge's driver—also a Perris local—faces multiple charges, including suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
The death of the victim underscores the dangers of drunk driving, which, most experts say, is 100% preventable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 30 people die each day in the U.S. in drunk-driving crashes, which is one person every 50 minutes. More than 10,000 people die in drunk driving crashes each year.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party,” said Bond.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Jocelyn Mendoza may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).