Woman who died in Temecula crash is identified

TEMECULA  - A 22-year-old woman who died in a fatal collision in Temecula on Monday was identified today. Mary Mercado of Temecula was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 11:30 a.m. Monday on Rancho California Road just west of Via Vueltast, according to the California Highway Patrol. Mercado allegedly made an illegal U-turn into oncoming traffic, causing the driver of a Ford Escape to directly crash into the Mercado's Toyota Corolla. Riverside County Fire Department crews arrived on the scene to find Mercado already dead from her injuries. According to authorities, she was not properly wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the other vehicle and a minor who was in the car with Mercado were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. The identity of the other driver and Mercad