On March 15th, 2015 at about 8:54 PM, Hemet Police Officers responded to a single vehicle traffic collision which occurred on Florida Avenue near Buena Vista Street. Officers found a gray Chevrolet SUV had collided into a tree directly in front of the City of Hemet Fire Department Administration building, located at 510 E. Florida Avenue.
The driver, 27 year old Alejandro Romo of Hemet, was ejected from the vehicle and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Mr. Romo was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time.
Hemet Police Traffic Investigators were called to the scene and determined Mr. Romo had been driving east on Florida Avenue, approaching Buena Vista Street. Mr. Romo lost control of his vehicle and the SUV began to skid. The vehicle traveled in a north/east direction from the east bound #1 lane, across Florida Avenue and across both west bound traffic lanes until it ultimately collided into a tree on the north side of the roadway.
One witness said it appeared Mr. Romo may have been attempting to turn left (north) onto Buena Vista Street, but he was driving too fast and turned much too late to safely negotiate the turn. Traffic Investigators located approximately 210 feet of locked wheel skid marks left upon the roadway by Mr. Romo’s vehicle and estimated the vehicle was traveling between 66 and 68 miles per hour prior to impact. The posted speed limit on Florida Avenue in that area is 35 miles per hour.
Traffic on Florida Avenue between Juanita Street and Franklin Avenue was restricted for about five hours while the investigation was conducted.
If you or someone you know witnessed this incident, you are urged to contact the Hemet Police Department Traffic Bureau at (951) 765-2400.