Motorist killed in collision with tree along freeway in Beaumont

CHP says the driver who veered his sport utility vehicle off Interstate 10 in Beaumont, and was killed as it careened down an embankment and
plowed into tree, was not wearing his seat belt.

Matthew Pettegrew, 28, of Fontana, was traveling alone Saturday afternoon on westbound Interstate 10 at about 70 mph, California Highway Patrol Officer Edward Nunez said.

Pettegrew inexplicably allowed his GMC Terrain to drift across the right shoulder towards the embankment east of Pennsylvania Avenue.

The SUV smashed into a tree, which left Pettegrew with fatal injuries, CHP, Nunez said.