Woman dies during crash caused by suspected DUI driver on I-15 in Temecula

A suspected drunk driver is accused of killing a 33-year-old woman during a crash on I-15 in Temecula over the weekend. 

The crash happened at around 10 p.m. on Saturday evening on northbound lanes of the freeway near Temecula Parkway when the victim since identified as Nancy Arzate of Perris, lost control of her 2011 Toyota Camry and collided with an object on the side of the road, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

The collision caused her car to turn sideways across multiple lanes, police said. Because of this, Arzate got out of her car and was standing next to it when the suspect approached in a 2003 Ford Edge. 

While one other driver was able to avoid the woman and her stalled car, police say the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Carlsbad man Mason Michael Joachim, did not attempt to swerve, slamming into her at around 70 miles per hour. 

"The suspect fled the scene on foot immediately following the crash," police said. 

Multiple other drivers stopped and tried to render medical aid to Arzate until paramedics with the Riverside County Fire Department arrived on scene. She was pronounced dead a short time later. 

Both CHP officers and Riverside County sheriff's deputies were able to obtain a description of Joachim and began searching in the immediate area. About 30 minutes after their search started they found him a short distance away from the scene of the crash and he was taken into custody without further incident. 

After being treated at a local hospital for minor injuries, Joachim was booked on suspicion of second-degree murder, driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury, hit-and-run causing death and driving on a suspended license, according to CHP. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.