A Winchester man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Saturday morning after his vehicle struck an unidentified pedestrian at the intersection of Menifee and Newport roads, authorities said.
Officers from the Menifee Police Department responded to the scene at approximately 4:58 a.m. on May 9 following a report of an adult male lying in the roadway. The victim, who was in the crosswalk crossing Newport Road, was struck by a Kia sedan. He was transported by American Medical Response to Inland Valley Medical Center with injuries of unknown severity.
The driver of the sedan, identified as Winchester resident Omar Sangines, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Authorities stated Sangines, who was contacted by officers with injuries of unknown severity, told law enforcement he had been driving his vehicle when he struck the man.
The Menifee Police Department Traffic Unit assumed the investigation. Preliminary findings indicate Sangines was traveling at a high rate of speed and proceeded through a green light when the collision occurred. Investigators believe drugs were a factor in the crash, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Sangines was arrested for driving under the influence and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center. The identity of the pedestrian has not yet been verified by authorities.
The Menifee Police Department is urging anyone who witnessed the collision or has additional information to contact Officer Gonzalez with the Traffic Unit at (951) 723-1634, or the general Traffic Unit line at (951) 723-1500
