Menifee man identified as victim in fatal traffic collision

Two of the three vehicles involved in Saturday's collision remained hours after the accident. Menifee 24/7 by Doug Spoon

The County Coroner's Office today identified a Menifee man as the victim in a fatal traffic accident Saturday morning at the intersection of Newport Road and Menifee Road.

Frank Dominguez, 63, was driving a BMW coupe and waiting to make a westbound turn onto Newport Road from Menifee Road, according to a Sheriff's Department news release. Witness statements and surveillance video indicated that Dominguez's vehicle was struck by a Honda Crosstour, which was driving at a high rate of speed westbound on Newport Road when it struck a Dodge Charger and then crashed into the BMW, sending both vehicles over the curb on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Dominguez was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Honda Crosstour was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Dodge Charger was released at the scene with no injuries.

The accident occurred about 7:47 a.m. Police closed Newport Road and Menifee Road in the area for almost three hours before westbound traffic on Newport Road was opened.

The investigation remains active. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered a possible factor in the collision.

Dominguez's son Chris posted on several social media sites about the accident and urged motorists not to drive under the influence.

"My dad was a great father who just retired a couple of months ago and had plans to travel," Chris Dominguez wrote on Facebook. "My father was a great family person and always loved to help others. My dad Frank Dominguez literally paid for my friends' education and random people he met that couldn’t afford college. He was a true advocate for education and saw potential in people they couldn’t see yet in themselves.

"He worked so hard as a corporate attorney so that he could enjoy the retirement life, but won’t be able to enjoy it because of someone’s bad choice ... Please Uber or Lyft somewhere. If you can’t afford one, please let me know and I will pay for it."

Anyone with information pertaining to the incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Josh Cail with the Menifee Traffic Team at 951-210-1068 or email JCail@RiversideSheriff.org.