450 E. Latham Ave.
Hemet, CA 92543
Non-Emergency: (951) 765-2400
Emergency – Dial 911
On Saturday, February 18, Officer Detwiler and K-9 Bosco and Officer Del Bono and K-9 Argo will compete in the 6th Annual Murrieta K-9 Trials in Murrieta. The event is free to the public and features K-9 teams from across California, the Military, and Mexico as they...
The Hemet Police Department is aware of information currently circulating on social media and within the community referencing a residence in the City of Hemet where several missing juveniles were allegedly located.
After reviewing the information and consulting with our partners at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, we have confirmed that no residence in the City of Hemet was involved in this incident. Claims circulating on social media that a Hemet home contained 37 missing juveniles are false and completely inaccurate.
On Tuesday, February 17th 2026, at approximately 3:08 A.M., Hemet Police Communications Center received a call regarding a traffic collision that occurred in the area of Sanderson Avenue and Florida Avenue, in the City of Hemet. Hemet Police Officers arrived on scene and located a white Volkswagen sedan and a silver Honda that were involved in the collision. The driver of the Honda fled the location prior to officers’ arrival, and the driver of the Volkswagen was unresponsive. Officers began rendering aid to the unresponsive driver until they were relieved by medical personnel. The unresponsive driver was later transported to a local hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased. The driver who fled the scene was located a short distance from the scene of the collision and taken into custody.
Based on these circumstances, the Hemet Police Department Traffic Bureau responded to the scene of the collision and assumed the investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed that the white Volkswagen was traveling west on Florida Avenue, approaching Sanderson Avenue, when the driver attempted to make a U-turn and was struck by the silver Honda. Impaired driving does appear to be a factor, and the identity of the deceased is being withheld pending family notification. The 3200 block of eastbound Florida Avenue was closed from approximately 03:08 am to 07:30 am.
If you witnessed this collision or have any helpful information for Traffic Investigators, you are urged to contact Officer Reineke at (951)765-2400 and reference file #2026-01240.
