2 Women Fatally Struck by Truck While Helping Injured Man on Street

Two women helping an injured man along a dark desert road in Riverside County were struck and killed by a pickup truck driver who may have been blinded by another truck’s high beams, deputies said.

The incident began before 1:15 a.m. Thursday when a fight broke out at a Halloween party near the 31700 block of Scott Road in the unincorporated area of Winchester, the California Highway Patrol said.

The man, who is in his 20s, was assaulted during the fight and called a friend to pick him up.

The friend arrived and parked the Dodge Durango in the eastbound lanes of Scott Road, the CHP said. Two women were helping the man get into the backseat of the Dodge when a Toyota pickup truck traveling westbound slammed into both women.

The driver of the Toyota, identified as 34-year-old Jesus Gonzalez of Lake Elsinore, stayed at the scene and told investigators that he was blinded by the Durango’s headlights because the high beams were on. He said he slowed down and felt he had struck something, so he pulled over and found two women in the roadway.

The women were identified by the Riverside County coroner as 34-year-old Jammie Erwin of Menifee and 25-year-old Mary Pillow of Winchester.

The injured man who was being helped by the women was not hit by the truck, CHP officials said.

“He probably did not see the individuals in the roadway,” said David Owens, who tried to help the victims. “All the individuals – some of them were in costumes, some of them were not – but they were all dressed in dark clothing. None of them had bright clothing on and there are no streetlights out in this area, so it does get very dark here at night.”

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CHP investigators said Gonzalez, who was not hurt in the crash, was going below the posted 50 mph speed limit. He was heading home from work and did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

As of Thursday afternoon, Gonzalez was not facing charges.

The condition of the man who was injured was unclear.

An online fundraiser was set up to help pay for Mary Pillow's funeral expenses. Anyone wishing to donate can do so here.

Stephanie Marroquin and Corey Arvin contributed to this report.

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