Man killed in Beaumont New Years Day crash identified

The 45-year-old driver of a sedan who died in a crash on the 60 Freeway just west of the Interstate 10 merger was identified Tuesday by the coroner’s office.

Erick Guerra lost control of his car while speeding at about 4:40 a.m. on Sunday and drove into the north shoulder of the freeway, the California Highway Patrol reported. Guerra tried to regain control of his car and made an abrupt turning movement to the right, which caused him to rotate in a clockwise direction, Officer Darren Meyer said.

His car crossed the eastbound lanes and slammed into a metal guardrail. The Compton man was fatally injured in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials.

Meyer said that the roadway was wet at the time of the crash, although it was not raining. He also said investigators had not ruled out the possible influence of drugs or alcohol.

There were no other passengers in the sedan, and no other cars were involved in the crash.