Perris, California - Moreno Valley Woman Killed in 215 Freeway Crash Where Alcohol Was a Factor

Perris, California (August 16, 2026) - A 24-year-old Moreno Valley woman was killed in a multi-car crash on the northbound 215 Freeway north of Ramona Expressway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 12:20 a.m. Sunday. CHP said a 2008 Mazda 3 was traveling at a high rate of speed when it lost control, left the roadway, and struck the guardrail in the center median.

The impact flipped the Mazda onto its roof, where it came to rest in the leftmost lane. A 2015 Ford Explorer then struck the overturned car, CHP said.

An occupant of the Mazda was ejected during the crash and died at the scene. The Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner identified her as Valerie Martinez of Moreno Valley.

The other occupant of the Mazda suffered moderate injuries. Both occupants of the Ford were uninjured. CHP said alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Fatal Car Accidents in Perris, California

When alcohol is confirmed as a factor in a fatal crash, the civil claim against the driver runs on its own timeline, separate from any criminal case that may follow.

• Who may be liable: the driver found to have caused the crash, and potentially a business that over-served alcohol under California's dram shop laws
• What investigators examine: toxicology results, the vehicle's speed at impact, and the guardrail's condition after the strike
• California follows pure comparative fault, so any degree of another party's responsibility can support a recovery

Under California law, wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death, or by August 16, 2028 (CCP 377.60).

Contact Our Perris Wrongful Death Attorneys

Losing a 24-year-old in a crash this violent leaves a family searching for someone who will take the time to explain what actually happened.

Our Riverside County wrongful death lawyers have secured a $5 million wrongful death settlement and take cases to trial rather than settle for less than they're worth.

Guardrail damage gets repaired, and vehicles get released from impound quickly, so the physical evidence from this crash won't wait.

There's no upfront cost to speak with us, and we only get paid if we recover for your family.

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• $200M+ recovered for clients
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Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.