The fatal crash occurred at approximately 8:42 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2026, on eastbound Newport Road approximately 445 feet east of Derby Hill Drive.
Menifee, CA — A 67-year-old Lake Elsinore man was killed, and three other people were injured in a two-vehicle collision on Newport Road in Menifee Wednesday evening, according to the Menifee Police Department.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 8:42 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2026, on eastbound Newport Road approximately 445 feet east of Derby Hill Drive. Officers responded to the scene and found a 2022 Kia K5 and a 2011 BMW 328i with major damage.
Preliminary findings indicate the BMW was traveling westbound on Newport Road while the Kia was traveling eastbound. For reasons that remain under investigation, the BMW crossed the center median and entered the eastbound lanes, where it collided with the Kia.
The Kia driver was identified as 67-year-old William Garduno of Lake Elsinore. Garduno sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 8:58 p.m. An adult female passenger in the Kia suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where she remained in critical but stable condition. A juvenile passenger was also taken to a hospital as a precaution and was reported to be stable. An adult male passenger in the BMW was transported to a local hospital and remained in stable condition.
The driver and another passenger in the BMW were contacted at the scene and provided statements to officers before being released. No arrests were reported. It remains unknown whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision.
CAL FIRE and American Medical Response personnel responded to the crash to assist those involved. The Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation.
The collision prompted an emergency response along Newport Road as officers, firefighters and medical personnel worked at the scene. The available information did not specify the duration of any roadway closures.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has additional information is encouraged to contact Officer Pisciuneri with the Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit at (951) 723-1668 or the Traffic Unit at (951) 723-1500.
The fatal Menifee crash remains under investigation