Fatal car crash knocks out power

A fatal vehicle crash at a Riverside intersection Sunday afternoon knocked out electrical power to nearly 500 customers and kept the affected crossroads closed for several hours,  authorities said.

Police said in a statement that a Hyundai Accent driven by a 20-year-old Carson resident was northbound on Chicago Avenue at a high rate of speed when the driver failed to stop for a red signal light at Linden Street, striking a Honda Civic driven by a 23-year-old Riverside resident.

The Hyundai then hit a palm tree.

The 1:21 p.m. crash left a passenger in the Hyundai dead and the driver of that vehicle with major injuries. Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback said the female passenger who died was partially ejected from her seat

The driver was listed in critical condition Sunday evening, said Railsback.

The other motorist involved in the collision was hospitalized for minor injuries and was alone in his vehicle at the time, according to Railsback.

Residents in the area reported power outages. The Riverside Public Utilities website Sunday afternoon said 475 customers in the area were affected, with crews en route to restore service.

Riverside Police said motorists should use alternative streets including University Avenue and Third Street for east-west traffic,  and Iowa Avenue or Kansas Avenue for those heading north and south through the area.