Suspect Arrested Following Fatal Traffic Collision and Assault on Police Detective in Riverside
“SUSPECT ARRESTED IN FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION AND ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON INVESTIGATION
RIVERSIDE, CA – On Thursday, October 24, 2024 at around 2:30 p.m., Riverside Police Officers responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Riverwalk Parkway and Collett Avenue, located in the La Sierra neighborhood in Riverside. Officers learned that Fontana Police Detectives were conducting an investigation in Riverside when their suspect attempted to flee in a white Nissan Maxima by intentionally colliding into an unmarked Fontana Police vehicle. While searching for the suspect, Fontana Police Detectives discovered a multi-vehicle collision at the nearby intersection involving the suspect’s Nissan.
The 62-year-old male suspect driver sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. A 49-year-old female passenger in the suspect’s vehicle was transported to a local hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. Three additional people from other vehicles involved in the collision suffered only minor injuries.
The Riverside Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) responded and assumed the traffic collision investigation. They are being assisted by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. Detectives with our Robbery-Homicide Unit also responded and investigated the assault with a deadly weapon against the Fontana Police Detective.
After medical clearance, Ezekial Avendano Lopez was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer. He is being held on 1 million dollars’ bail. Additional charges related to the cause of the fatal traffic collision are pending.
Detectives are seeking to speak with any witnesses who observed the suspect driving the white Nissan Maxima just prior to causing the collision at Riverwalk Pkwy. and Collett Ave. Anyone with additional information related to this collision is urged to contact Traffic Detective Jeff Derouin at (951) 826-8722 or JDerouin@RiversideCA.gov.”
