Coroner IDs Woman Killed In Fiery Gilman Springs Road Crash

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A woman killed Wednesday in a Gilman Springs Road crash that led to a brush fire and an hours-long roadway closure has been identified by the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau.

Glori Reece, 26, of Hemet was pronounced dead at the Lakeview crash scene at 3:32 p.m.

The incident was reported at 2:56 p.m. just south of Alessandro Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

A Toyota Avalon driven by Reece veered off the road for unknown reasons and crashed into nearby concrete pipes, according to the sheriff's department. The impact caused the Toyota to burst into flames, which spread to nearby vegetation.

Deputies and good Samaritans pulled the Hemet woman from the fiery wreckage. Despite life-saving efforts, she died at the scene.

Reece was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Preliminary reports from the CHP indicated the crash involved a big rig, but the sheriff's department later said it was a solo-vehicle incident.

Flames from the crash jumped to roadside vegetation and then extended into a field, pushed by light to moderate winds, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Multiple county engine and hand crews were sent to battle the brusher, along with two Cal Fire air tankers and a water-dropping helicopter from Hemet-Ryan Airport, a few miles to the south.

The aircraft initiated a series of runs that blunted the fire's progress. As of late Wednesday night, the 226-acre blaze was fully contained.

No structures were damaged.

CHP officers shut down Gilman Springs between Alessandro Boulevard, east of Moreno Valley, and Bridge to the south, for public safety. The closure was not lifted until late Wednesday night and traffic was turned around at the closure points during the shutdown.

—City News Service contributed to this report.