DUI Driver Fatally Strikes Pedestrian in Lake Elsinore

A pedestrian was fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver in Lake Elsinore late Sunday night. The collision occurred around 9:35 p.m. on Grand Avenue, near Marvella Lane, when a 2022 Toyota RAV4 traveling south struck Benjamin Douglass, a 48-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore. Douglass was pronounced dead at the scene by Cal Fire paramedics. It remains unclear why the pedestrian was walking in the street at the time of the incident.

Investigators determined the driver of the Toyota, a 51-year-old man from Murrieta, was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for misdemeanor DUI. Although he reported no injuries, the driver was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation. He was admitted as a patient and was not medically cleared until 3:40 a.m. on Monday.