Joan Terlisner Killed in Aguanga Car Accident on Highway 371 near Wilson Valley Road
Aguanga, California (January 5, 2020) – Authorities have identified the suspect in a hit-and-run accident that left one person dead Friday morning in Aguanga as Antone Wayne Bayard, 23, of Anza.
The tragic accident took place at around 6:15 a.m. Friday, January 3 on Highway 371, just north of Wilson Valley Road.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Bayard was driving a 2011 Nissan northbound on Highway 371 faster than 55 mph speed limit when for an unknown reason, he rear-ended a 1986 Toyota pickup that was being driven at approximately 40 mph by a 64-year-old Hemet man.
Due to the impact, the driver of the Toyota lost control and drifted into southbound traffic, where it collided with a 2001 Mercedes-Benz driven by Joan Terlisner, 63, of Aguanga. As a result of the collision, the Mercedes and Toyota flipped over onto the shoulder.
Terlisner, who was the sole occupant, was declared deceased at the scene at about 6:54 a.m. The driver of the Toyota and his 36-year old passenger were not injured in the crash.
Bayard reportedly fled on foot heading southbound toward Highway 79. The CHP later tracked him in the Coachella Valley where he had been hiding.
Two CHP officers and Bayard got into an altercation upon arriving at his location. The officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries following the dispute.
Authorities believed Bayard is in the Temecula or San Diego area with plans to flee to Mexico.
The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the accident is urged to contact the CHP officers at 951-506-2000.