Motorist killed in crash on Interstate 10 in Palm Springs Area
A man was killed and a woman was injured when their car crashed on Interstate 10 in the Palm Springs area over the weekend, authorities said today.
The crash was reported about 3:20 a.m. Sunday on eastbound I-10 east of Wall Road, said California Highway Patrol Officer David Torres of the Indio Area office.
A 27-year-old man was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu when the crash occurred, Torres said.
"For reasons still under investigation, the Chevrolet lost control and crashed into the metal guard rail located in the center median,'' Torres said in a statement. "The Chevrolet continued out of control and while rotating, the male was ejected."
The man, identified as Carlos Gutierrez of Cathedral City, was pronounced dead at 3:33 a.m. Sunday, according to the Riverside County coroner's office.
"The investigation found the male was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash,'' Torres said. ``Additionally, alcohol and/or drugs are suspected to be a factor.''
A 25-year-old Palm Springs woman riding in the Chevrolet, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered ``moderate'' injuries, Torres said.
"As a result of the initial crash, large wooden pieces of the guard rail were ejected onto the westbound lanes of Interstate 10,'' Torres said. "A 2019 Toyota Corolla, occupied by a male driver and female passenger, were ... westbound when (it) crashed into the large wooden debris. The driver of the Toyota was uninjured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Both occupant were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.''
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Officer Toffi at 760-772-5300.
