Riverside County deputy charged in 100-mph crash that killed man, critically injured his fiancée

A Riverside County deputy was charged with vehicular manslaughter after being accused of running a red light in a high-speed crash that killed a man and left his fiancée critically injured. The crash occurred on Sept. 6, 2025, as Gavin Hinkley, 21, of Calimesa, and Madeline Fox, 20, of Cherry Valley, were running errands for their upcoming wedding.  At around 10 a.m., Hinkley, who was driving the couple’s Tesla Model 3, was preparing to make a left turn at the intersection of Cherry Valley Boulevard and Roberts Street in the city of Calimesa. That’s when Deputy Glynn Wilburn, who was responding to a reported shooting, began quickly making his way through town.  Wilburn, who was driving a Ford Police Interceptor SUV, had his emergency lights and siren on when he approached the intersection at nearly 100 mph and slammed into the Tesla, according to a California Highway Patrol crash report obtained by the Press-Enterprise. Hinkley died at the crash site. His fiancée, Fox, suffered “catastrophic” injuries, including permanent brain trauma, according to attorney Spencer Lucas, who is representing both families in a lawsuit filed in May against the deputy and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. Photos of the scene showed the Tesla was totaled in the crash. Riverside County, Southern California Edison, American Medical Response of Southern California and the cities of Calimesa and Beaumont were also named as defendants in the suit. “Deputy Wilburn caused this crash by … failing to stop the Ford before entering the intersection against a red-phased signal light,” the CHP report said. “The negligence of Deputy Wilburn was the proximate cause of the death of Driver Hinkley and the injuries to Passenger Fox and himself.” The suit claimed Wilburn was traveling about 100 mph while responding to the call. He reportedly began to brake just before the collision, but was still driving at 98 mph just seconds before the car slowed to about 72 mph. Although the deputy was exempt from certain Vehicle Code rules while actively responding to a call with lights and sirens, the report said he was still required to “drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.” The lawsuit is seeking unspecified monetary damages. Lucas told the Press-Enterprise that Fox suffered a brain injury and has a long road to recovery after waking from a coma. He told the Los Angeles Times that Fox had to “start all over again” and learn to swallow, eat on her own, stand up and walk and talk.  “Sadly, Madeline will be permanently impaired and will require a lifetime of medical care,” he told the outlet.  Southern California Edison and American Medical Response, the ambulance company, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit.  The suit alleges that electrical boxes placed near the intersection impaired sightlines for drivers headed west on Cherry Valley, as Wilburn was, and for drivers headed south on Roberts, as Hinkley was.  “The lack of visibility of the two roadways may have contributed to the cause of the crash,” the CHP report said. Lucas also said the first ambulance crew to arrive took the deputy, who had minor injuries, to a hospital first instead of tending to the more severely injured Fox and Hinkley. “The deputy, who only had minor injuries, was taken away by the ambulance while [Hinkley and Fox] were left inside the wreckage,” Lucas said. The delay cost Hinkley his life and worsened Fox’s injuries, the attorney alleged. On June 17, 2026, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office announced that Wilburn was charged with: Wilburn was also placed on administrative leave. An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled. A statement from Melissa and Jason Fox read in part: “We are grateful that the Riverside County District Attorney has taken this important step and filed criminal charges on behalf of Gavin and Madeline. While we know this is far from over, today’s action gives us hope that the justice system is moving in the right direction and that accountability will ultimately prevail. What happened to Gavin and Madeline was preventable. We hope this sends a clear message that those entrusted to protect the public must also be held accountable when their actions cause unimaginable harm.”  A statement from Lauren and Corey Hinkley read in part:  “Today’s filing of criminal charges against Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Glynn Wilburn is an important step toward accountability for the preventable and reckless actions that took the life of our son, Gavin Hinkley, and forever changed the life of his fiancée, Madeline Fox. Gavin was more than a victim. While no criminal charge can bring Gavin back or undo the devastating impact this tragedy has had on Madeline and both our families, today is a meaningful step toward justice. Gavin’s life mattered. Madeline’s life matters. We will continue to honor Gavin’s memory, stand beside Madeline, and fight for the justice they both deserve.”