Man killed in early morning crash near Desert Center

A man was killed and a 28-year-old woman from Burbank is in critical condition at Desert Regional Medical Center after their car overturned Friday morning on the freeway in Desert Center.

The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened at about 4 a.m. along a remote stretch of eastbound I-10, just west of Hayfield Road. The victim’s Mitsubishi traveled to the right and off the road as it overturned into the open desert.

A witness reported to the CHP that the car rolled five or six times before coming to rest off the roadway.

The man and woman became trapped in the car. Emergency crews freed the 28-year-old woman and airlifted her to Desert Regional Medical Center with critical injuries.

The man who was driving the Mitsubishi Crossover died at the scene, officers said Friday morning. His identity hasn’t been released by the coroner’s office yet.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. Officers said it’s unknown at this time if alcohol and/or drugs played a factor. Crews were still on scene hours after the crash investigating.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 / CBS Local 2 News for updates.