Woman Killed When Intoxicated Teen Driver Slams into Her Car

Staff Writer

Wednesday, January 25th, 2017

MURRIETA – A 26-year-old Wildomar woman was killed in a traffic collision caused by a 17-year-old intoxicated driver authorities said.

On Sunday, January 22, 2017, at around 9:05 p.m., during a period of heavy rainfall, a Murrieta Police officer spotted a silver Chrysler 300 that was driving westbound on Murrieta Hot Springs road just east of Whitewood Road at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle passed the patrol car and continued on to run a red light at Whitewood Avenue.

The vehicle continued westbound on Murrieta Hot Springs Road and the officer activated his overhead lights. Murrieta Police officials said that the patrol vehicle was too far behind for the driver to see the overhead lights. The driver continued on at approximately 60 mph westbound on Murrieta Hot Springs Road and again ran a red light at Alta Murrieta Road.

As the Chrysler entered the intersection on the red light, Leah Reay was driving a Toyota Yaris and was making a left turn from eastbound Murrieta Hot Springs Road to northbound Alta Murrieta Road. The Yaris went into the intersection and was struck by the Chrysler 300. Reay was killed on impact.

The driver of the Chrysler 300, a 17-year-old Perris teen was transported to Inland Valley Hospital with internal injuries and a broken wrist. The female juvenile driver was believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. The teen was released from the hospital on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, and was subsequently arrested and booked into the Riverside County Juvenile Hall for murder.
The collision remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the driver driving at a high rate of speed on Murrieta Hot Springs Road or who witnessed the collision is asked to call 951-461-6375. Loved ones have opened a Crowdrise account benefitting the American Red Cross in Leah Reay’s name.