Liberty High School student dies, four injured in crash

Story has been updated with additional information.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Authorities said Monday that the victims in a solo vehicle crash Sunday night in Menifee are students at Liberty High School. One student died in the collision and four others were injured.

Liberty High principal Erika Tejeda made the announcement in a Facebook post Monday morning.

"Today will be a very difficult day for our students and staff; we will have counseling services available on campus," Tejeda wrote. "We ask that you keep the Liberty HERD family in your thoughts as we mourn the loss of one of our own."

The deceased student was identified by the County Coroner's Office as 16-year-old Clarissa Lewis, a passenger in the vehicle.

Two students suffered serious injuries in the single-vehicle collision into a wall at 6:26 p.m. Sunday night in the 29500 block of Old Newport Road, according to the County Fire Department. One student suffered moderate injuries and another suffered minor injuries in the incident.

According to a Menifee Police Department news release, a white Tesla was driving eastbound on Old Newport Road east of Bristol Gate Lane when the driver lost control and struck a curb. The vehicle then left the roadway, struck a tree and then a brick wall on the north side of the street.

First responders found five teenage juveniles in the vehicle with varying degrees of injury. The front passenger was found unresponsive and, despite life-saving measures, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the collision, according to police. The driver and passengers fully cooperated with the investigation.

“The Menifee Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased juvenile, and we ask the public to be respectful of the families involved in this incident,” the Menifee PD news release stated. “We would like to remind all newer drivers to practice safe driving habits, to understand your personal and vehicle’s capabilities, and to abide by all DMV driver’s license restrictions.”

Anyone with additional information regarding the collision is asked to contact the Menifee PD Traffic Unit at 951-723-1690 or 951-723-1565.