Police in Riverside have shed more light on the arrest of a driver involved in a multi-vehicle crash that claimed the life of one man and injured six others.
The crash happened around 6:20 p.m. on Market Street, the Riverside Police Department said.
Four vehicles were found at the scene, including a black Dodge Challenger that appeared to be responsible for the violent collision.
The driver of the Challenger, 19-year-old Isaac Isaiah Villalba of Redlands, attempted to flee and resisted police as they tried to detain him at the scene, officials said.
Investigators believe that Villalba was driving at high speeds and was under the influence of drugs when he crashed into the back of a Honda Civic, before colliding with another vehicle.
The driver of the Civic, 37-year-old Christian Barragan of Riverside, suffered major injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Six others, five in other cars and Villalba, suffered injuries that ranged from minor to severe.
Villalba was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was evaluated by a Riverside Police Department “drug recognition expert,” who determined there was enough evidence to conclude he was under the influence at the time of the crash.
After being cleared from the hospital, Villalba was taken into custody and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. He faces possible charges for murder, felony hit and run, suspicion of being under the influence of drugs and causing injury of death, and resisting arrest “with violence.”
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact RPD Detective Matthew Parrish by email or by calling 951-353-8177.
“Comments on social media suggest that several people may have witnessed the black Dodge Challenger driving erratically prior to the collision but have not yet come forward,” the Police Department said.
