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A young couple, set to marry in just a few weeks, was struck from the side by a deputy driving at nearly 100 miles per hour, resulting in the fiancé’s death and the bride-to-be suffering from permanent brain damage and other serious injuries.
The accident took place on September 6, 2025, in Calimesa,California, which lies just to the east ofLos Angeles. Gavin Hinkley, 21, lost his life, while his fiancée, 20-year-old Madeline Fox, will need to relearn fundamental motor skills and the ability to communicate.
On April 30, the relatives of the deceased initiated a legal action in Riverside County Superior Court, claiming that Deputy Glynn Wilburn, who was operating the patrol car, exhibited extremely careless and dangerous behavior.
The legal document alleged that Wilburn was responsible for Hinkley’s death and for Fox’s physical and psychological harm, along with her suffering and emotional anguish.
At the moment of the accident, Hinkley was operating the couple’sTeslaand trying to execute a left turn at a crossroads.
As he did that, Wilburn, who was replying to a call, was driving directly toward the couple along a two-lane highway at a speed of 98mph.
The deputy tried to slow down and steer his patrol car moments before the crash, but he was still traveling at 72mph when he struck the Tesla, as stated in the legal filing.
The legal document primarily referenced the results of a California Highway Patrol investigation into the accident, which featured images of the scene. The pictures display the Tesla’s side and the front part of the patrol car severely damaged.
Spencer Lucas, a lawyer advocating for the families of the deceased, stated to theLos Angeles Times, ‘There’s no justification for a lone wolf officer to speed through a two-lane highway against a red light.’
He was driving way beyond what could be considered reasonable,” the lawyer remarked. “This heartbreaking accident could have been avoided entirely.
According to a GoFundMe Established by Fox’s family to cover her medical costs, the 20-year-old sustained breaks in ‘her eye socket, jaw, rib, hip, pelvis, and lower spine.’
She also suffered internal injuries to her spleen that necessitated surgery, a punctured lung, and a facial laceration that resulted in a scar.
“All these injuries are terrible on their own, but Madeline has also experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury, which necessitates ongoing care,” the family stated on the donation page.
She must re-learn everything, ranging from a basic task like relearning how to swallow to fundamental motor skills.
Riverside County, Southern California Edison, American Medical Response of Southern California, and the cities of Calimesa and Beaumont were also listed as parties in the legal action.
The legal document claimed that Southern California Edison was partially at fault for the accident as certain of its devices along the roadside hindered Hinkley’s view of the approaching officer.
The legal action alleged that American Medical Response, a private ambulance provider, prioritized treating the deputy’s less severe injuries over assisting the young couple who were stuck in the vehicle’s debris.
In addition to the civil lawsuit, Deputy Wilburn could potentially encounter criminal charges. The Riverside County District Attorney’s office has indicated that an investigation is currently in progress.
On October 25, 2025, the scheduled day for the young couple’s wedding, Fox’s friend shared a heartfelt message on Instagram.
Gavin, you and Madeline were meant to get married today. This post should have been filled with wedding memories and pictures, not this,” she wrote. “On a day that was supposed to be full of love and joy, it is instead filled with sorrow and heartache.
“I should be hearing your voice as you laugh with your best man and groomsmen, trying not to cry as Madeline walks down the aisle in her stunning dress. This isn’t how today was meant to be,” the friend said.
Fox’s family shared a message on the same day, stating: ‘Today was meant to be one of the most joyful days for Gavin and Madeline, but they have been deprived of it because of careless driving by someone who is supposed to be safeguarding and assisting.’
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