Last updated: November 11, 2026
An 8-year-old girl, Camila Leon, died when a suspected drunk driver ran a red light at Ramona Expressway and Rider Street in Perris on August 15, 2026. Five others were hurt. The driver, Silvia Corona, now faces a second-degree murder charge after a reported 0.28% blood-alcohol reading. This guide explains what happened, the criminal case, and the legal rights of the injured family under California law.
Author: Ben Marmont, Fairmont Law Firm
Published: August 16, 2026
An 8-year-old Perris girl, Camila Leon, died after a devastating two-vehicle crash on Ramona Expressway at Rider Street. Five other people were hurt, including her father and 12-year-old brother. The accused driver, 52-year-old Silvia Corona of San Jacinto, now faces second-degree murder and DUI charges.
Deputies say Corona ran a red light at an unsafe speed while intoxicated. Her intake blood sample showed a 0.28% blood-alcohol level, more than three times California's 0.08% legal limit. She pleaded not guilty and remains held on $1 million bail.
If your family suffered an injury or death in this crash, you have legal rights. Fairmont Law Firm provides a free case evaluation. You pay zero fees until we win. Our team is available 24/7.
What Happened in the Perris Crash?
The crash happened Saturday, August 15, 2026, near the intersection of Rider Street and Ramona Expressway in Perris.
According to the original Patch news report, deputies responded around 5:30 p.m. They found a serious collision involving two vehicles.
A sheriff's bail-setting affidavit lays out what happened next. At 5:35 p.m., Silvia Corona drove her 2017 Lexus RX350 southbound on Ramona Expressway at an unsafe speed. She had virtually no chance to stop when the light at Rider Street changed. She entered the intersection on a red signal and broadsided a 2018 Lexus making a lawful left turn from Rider Street.
The 2018 Lexus carried a family of five. Camila Leon, 8, sat in the rear seat. She died at Riverside University Medical Center that evening. Her 12-year-old brother, Dominic, suffered critical injuries. Doctors transferred him to Loma Linda Children's Hospital for acute care. Her father, Andres, was also critically injured. Another child suffered moderate injuries. Both parents suffered minor injuries.
Paramedics took six people to hospitals in total. Four were in critical condition at the scene.
The crash also involved a vehicle fire. CBS Los Angeles reported that Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire crews extinguished the flames.
The fire created additional danger at the scene. It also made the emergency response more urgent. Fire damage may affect important evidence inside a vehicle. Investigators must examine the vehicles, roadway, and surrounding area quickly.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Perris Station Traffic Reconstruction Team took over the investigation. Investigators may examine:
- Vehicle damage and impact points
- Skid marks and debris patterns
- Traffic signals and road markings
- Vehicle speeds and travel directions
- Witness accounts and 911 calls
- Dashcam, surveillance, or cellphone video
- Driver impairment or distraction
- Seatbelt and child-restraint use
- Mechanical defects or maintenance problems
Deputies arrested Corona on August 17. She was first charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing injury. Prosecutors later filed an amended complaint charging her with second-degree murder under Penal Code § 187 after receiving additional information from detectives. She is also charged with four counts of DUI causing great bodily injury under Vehicle Code § 23153.
Corona pleaded not guilty to the murder charge on August 24. Her bail was set at $1 million. She is being held at the Smith Correctional Facility. A felony settlement conference was scheduled for October 26 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
That fact matters for your family. A criminal case punishes the driver. A civil claim recovers compensation. You can pursue a civil claim whether or not prosecutors win a conviction.
How Dangerous Is Drunk Driving in California?
This crash was not a freak event. Drunk driving kills across the country every day.
NHTSA reported 13,524 deaths in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2022. Those crashes accounted for 32% of all traffic fatalities that year. On average, one person died in an alcohol-impaired crash every 39 minutes.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal under Vehicle Code § 23152. It becomes a felony when a drunk driver causes injury. The 0.28% reading in this case is more than three times the 0.08% legal limit.
The physical evidence was staggering. According to the sheriff's affidavit, Corona made no attempt to stop before impact. Her vehicle needed 326 feet to stop after the collision, while driving uphill and out of control.
A vigil was held at the crash site on August 27, on what would have been Camila's ninth birthday. A GoFundMe for the family had raised $34,725 from 584 donations toward its $40,000 goal, according to MyNewsLA.com. No fundraiser replaces a child. It shows how deeply this loss hit the Perris community.
How Can Drivers Prevent Another Red-Light DUI Tragedy?
A serious crash can turn your life upside down within seconds. Families should never have to wonder whether a driver ignored a signal, sped through an intersection, or looked down at a phone.
Every driver near Rider Street and Ramona Expressway must slow down and stay alert. Follow every traffic signal. Watch for turning vehicles. Leave enough distance to stop safely.
Drivers must also:
- Put phones away before moving
- Never drive after drinking or using drugs
- Use seatbelts on every trip
- Secure children in the correct safety seats
- Check blind spots before turning
- Reduce speed when visibility or traffic changes
- Remain at the scene after a collision
- Call 911 when someone needs emergency care
Safety rules protect everyone. They protect children in passenger seats. They protect drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and first responders.
The investigation will show what happened here. Until authorities complete their work, no one should spread unverified claims about fault.
What Legal Rights Do Injured Passengers Have?
A serious injury creates immediate pressure. Hospital bills arrive quickly. Insurance companies may call before your family understands the full medical picture.
You do not have to handle those demands alone.
Injured crash survivors may have a California personal injury claim when another person’s negligence caused the collision. Potential compensation can include:
- Emergency treatment and hospital bills
- Surgery, rehabilitation, and follow-up care
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and emotional suffering
- Scarring, disability, and loss of normal life
- Vehicle damage and other related expenses
A child’s claim usually proceeds through a parent or legal guardian. The child’s future care needs deserve special attention. A critical injury can require years of therapy, equipment, supervision, and medical treatment.
California follows a pure comparative fault system. The California Supreme Court established this rule in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804. You can recover compensation even if you share some blame for the crash. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
An insurance company may try to blame an injured person for part of the crash. That tactic does not erase your rights. We investigate the evidence and fight back against unfair blame.
You should avoid giving a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer. Do not accept a quick settlement before doctors understand your long-term condition. Early offers often fail to account for future treatment and lasting harm.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Deadly DUI Crash?
Losing a child creates unimaginable pain. No financial recovery can replace Camila. A wrongful death claim can hold responsible parties accountable and help protect her family’s future.
California wrongful death claims may allow eligible family members to seek damages for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of Camila’s love and companionship
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of household contributions
- Emotional and family-related losses recognized by law
A separate survivor claim may also address damages Camila experienced between the collision and her death. The exact claims depend on the family’s relationship, estate arrangements, medical records, and evidence from the investigation.
A wrongful death claim is separate from a criminal case. The family does not need to wait for an arrest. The civil process focuses on evidence, responsibility, insurance coverage, and financial losses.
Potentially responsible parties can include:
- A negligent driver
- A vehicle owner
- An employer responsible for a driver
- A company that allowed unsafe vehicle use
- A manufacturer responsible for a defective vehicle part
- A public entity in a roadway-danger case
The last category involves strict procedures. Claims against government entities can have shorter deadlines. Families should speak with a California wrongful death lawyer immediately.
Evidence Can Protect Your Family’s Claim
Critical evidence can disappear quickly. Vehicles get repaired or destroyed. Video systems overwrite recordings. Witnesses forget details. Insurance companies begin building their defense immediately.
Our team works to preserve the evidence that tells the full story.
If you were injured, or if you lost a loved one, follow these steps:
Step 1: Get medical care.
Follow every treatment instruction. Tell doctors about every symptom. Keep records of appointments, prescriptions, and medical expenses.
Step 2: Preserve evidence.
Save photographs, videos, vehicle information, insurance documents, and witness contacts. Do not repair or discard a damaged vehicle before an inspection.
Step 3: Limit insurance conversations.
Provide basic accident information when required. Do not guess about fault. Do not minimize your injuries.
Step 4: Report helpful information.
Anyone with crash information should contact the Perris Sheriff's Station or the investigating deputy. Witnesses may hold key evidence.
Step 5: Contact a lawyer promptly.
A lawyer can investigate while the official reconstruction continues. Your lawyer can also manage insurers and protect your family from pressure.
Use this checklist:
[ ] Receive medical evaluation and follow-up care
[ ] Save photographs, videos, bills, and records
[ ] Write down what you remember about the crash
[ ] Collect witness names and contact details
[ ] Avoid recorded statements about fault
[ ] Do not sign a settlement without legal review
[ ] Schedule a free case evaluation
California imposes strict deadlines. Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 gives injured people two years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims follow the same two-year period under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. Claims against a public entity follow different rules. Government Code § 911.2 generally requires a government claim within six months. Waiting can permanently damage your rights.
Fairmont Law Firm Stands With Injured California Families
You need a legal team that moves quickly after a catastrophic crash. You need advocates who understand California injury law and insurance tactics.
Fairmont Law Firm represents injured people and families throughout all 58 California counties. We focus exclusively on injury cases, including car accidents and wrongful death claims.
Our commitment is simple:
- Zero Fee Until We Win
- Free case evaluation
- 24/7 availability
- Fast and aggressive representation
- Millions recovered for our clients
- Bilingual support, including Spanish
We investigate the collision. We identify every responsible party. We document medical needs and financial losses. We fight insurance companies that try to pay less than your family deserves.
If you searched for a personal injury lawyer California families can trust, contact Fairmont Law Firm now. If you searched for a car accident lawyer near me, our team is ready to help.
Visit Fairmont Law Firm for a free, confidential case evaluation. You pay nothing upfront. You pay zero attorney fees unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a claim if no one has been arrested?
Yes. A civil injury or wrongful death claim is separate from a criminal case. Evidence can establish civil responsibility even when police make no arrest.
Can the injured child’s family file a personal injury claim?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can pursue a claim for an injured minor. The claim can address medical care, future treatment, pain, disability, and other losses.
What if investigators have not determined fault?
You can still contact a lawyer. Early legal work helps preserve evidence and identify all possible sources of insurance coverage. We do not wait for the other side to control the investigation.
How much does Fairmont Law Firm charge?
Fairmont Law Firm works on a contingency-fee basis. You pay zero fees until we win. Your case evaluation is free.
Does Fairmont Law Firm serve Perris and Riverside County?
Yes. Fairmont Law Firm serves injured clients across Riverside County and all 58 California counties. Our team is available 24/7.
Contact Fairmont Law Firm Today
This Perris crash has caused unbearable loss and serious injuries. Families need answers, protection, and a strong legal advocate.
Do not let an insurance company decide your family’s future. Contact Fairmont Law Firm now for a free case evaluation.
Call 24/7. Get help today. You pay nothing unless we win.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on the specific facts. Speak with a licensed California attorney about your situation before acting on anything you read here.