The County coroner has released the name of the woman who was killed during a high-speed pursuit Monday night. Deputies had attempted to stop Janice Richardson, 55, of Yucca Valley, about 9:20 Monday night for reckless driving near Palm Drive and Highway 62, when she fled through residential neighborhoods, driving at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. She got back on the highway at Kickapoo and sped westbound on the highway at speeds of 130 miles per hour. Sheriff’s Sergeant James Porter said as she reached the first curve at the top of the Morongo Grade, Richardson lost control of her car, which hit the center divider, and overturned. Richardson was ejected from the vehicle and killed on impact. Janice Richardson was the sole occupant of the car. The pursuing deputies had backed off the pursuit prior to Richardson entering the grade and so did not witness the crash, but came upon it several seconds after it occurred. The Sheriff’s Department is investigating.
