Riverside County Sheriff’s motorcycle deputy killed in crash
A Riverside County Sheriff's deputy was killed in an on-duty crash on Wednesday, the agency announced.
The deputy was identified as Timothy Corlew, who was assigned to the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station as a member of its motor team.
With immense sadness & a heavy heart, I must report that the Riverside County Sheriff's Office has lost another deputy in a line of duty death. Deputy Timothy Corlew, assigned to Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Stn, was involved in an on-duty traffic accident on 1/8/25
— Riverside County Sheriff (@RSO) January 8, 2025
-Sheriff Bianco pic.twitter.com/RZxTGFwrGC
Corlew was killed in a crash between his patrol motorcycle and an SUV at around 5:30 a.m. on the Riverside (91) Freeway at La Sierra Avenue in Riverside.
"It was an accident,'' CHP Officer Javier Navarro told City News Service. "Our Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is out there now, still gathering details.''
CHP Inland Empire Division spokesman Officer Dan Olivas said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon that Corlew was traveling in the HOV lane at an unconfirmed speed when he encountered "traffic ahead ... stopped across all lanes.''
"For reasons still under investigation, the deputy collided with the rear of a Toyota (Lexus), and he was ejected from his motorcycle onto a Hyundai sedan,'' Olivas said.
Riverside Fire Department paramedics reached the location within minutes and attempted life-saving measures, after which Corlew was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead moments later, according to Olivas.
He said the Lexus driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to the same hospital for treatment. The occupant of the Hyundai was not hurt.
The CHP's Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is continuing to piece together the details of what happened.
The agency's Riverside office spokesman, Officer Javier Navarro, told City News Service earlier that it was "unlikely any criminal charges will be coming out of this down the road, based on what we know right now.''
Corlew joined RSO in 2016. He is survived by his wife and two children.
A fundraising campaign has been set up to support Corlew's family. Click here if you would like to make a donation.
