The following information has been provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:

On April 27, 2008, at 2:13 a.m., Ruperto Rojo, age 22 of Perris, was driving his 2002 Ford Mustang eastbound on Ramona Expressway in the westbound traffic lanes. He struck the center median then veered off the north roadway edge into a ditch.

His passenger, a 21-year-old Hispanic male, residing in Perris, was ejected from the car and died on-scene. The other passenger, a 16-year-old Hispanic male, residing in Perris, was transported to Riverside County Regional Medical Center, treated for a minor injury and released to his parents.

Rojo was transported to RCRMC for serious injuries but he is in stable condition.

Preliminary investigation led investigators to believe Rojo was driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. The investigation is on-going pending a toxicology report for Rojo’s blood alcohol content.

If anyone has information regarding this collision, please call Sergeant Scott Forbes at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department/Perris Police (951) 210-1000.