CHP: Accused Murderer Sought In Temecula Area

TEMECULA, CA — Days after a woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash near Temecula, the California Highway Patrol is still looking for the man they say is responsible for the wreck. Antone Wayne Bayard, 23, is accused of causing the crash that a 63-year-old Aguanga resident.

Riverside County coroner's officials have since identified the victim in the wreck as Joan Terlisner.

Officer Mike Lassig said Terlisner was driving her 2001 Mercedes Benz southbound on state Route 371, north of Wilson Valley Road, when the suspect approached from the opposite direction.

Bayard was at the wheel of a 2011 Nissan Versa, going at "a high rate of speed," Officer Mike Lassig said. He said the suspect's four-door sedan struck the rear of a 1986 Toyota pickup ahead of him and spun out of control, veering into oncoming traffic.

"The (suspect's) vehicle collided into the Mercedes ... which caused it to travel into the northbound lane before rolling over onto the shoulder east of the roadway edge," Lassig said.

He said the Nissan then overturned on the westbound shoulder of the highway, but Bayard managed to extricate himself from the smashed car. He then took off running from the crash scene, Lassig said.

Riverside County Fire Department paramedics arrived a few minutes later and pronounced Terlisner dead at the scene.

The CHP later identified Bayard as the suspect in the case and caught up with him over the weekend, according to Lassig. However, as law enforcement tried to take him into custody, he was able to escape again — hurting two officers in the process.

"Bayard is believed to be in the Temecula/San Diego area with plans to flee to Mexico," the CHP said.

Anyone who has seen him is asked to call CHP Dispatch at (858) 637-3800.

WANTED: Antone Wayne Bayard, age 23, from Anza.

Bayard is wanted for 187 PC and an altercation injuring 2 officers. Bayard is believed to be in the Temecula/San Diego area with plans to flee to Mexico.

Any Info regarding Bayard, contact CHP Dispatch (858) 637-3800. pic.twitter.com/wIyK30iqM4
— CHP Border Division (@CHP_Border) January 5, 2020

SEE ALSO:

• Hit-And-Run Driver Sought In Deadly Crash Near Temecula

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— City News Service contributed to this report