UPDATE: Victim identified in deadly early morning Thousand Palms crash
UPDATE: The Riverside County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim in an early morning Thousand Palms crash as Anthony Herrera of La Mirada. The 21-year old was driving a 1998 Honda Accord westbound on Interstate 10 east of Monterrey Avenue at approximately 1:57 a.m. this morning when his vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and crashed into the center divider.
The Accord then traveled back across all lanes of traffic and struck the concrete wall on the right shoulder, becoming disabled in the slow lane.
Herrera’s vehicle was struck by a 2012 Freightliner tractor-trailer while disabled. The Freightliner was driven by 39-year-old Jose Saucedo of Nogales, Arizona. Herrera was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Saucedo was evaluated by paramedics by declined further treatment.
The 10 was closed entirely until approximately 3:07 a.m., when one westbound lane reopened.
The crash is still under investigation. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol played a factor in this collision.
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All lanes on westbound Interstate 10 reopened early Tuesday morning in Palm Desert after a deadly crash involving at least one car, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported just before 2 a.m. on westbound I-10 just east of Monterey Avenue. At least one person was killed. Another person was examined for injuries but declined additional treatment.
According to CHP officers, one car lost control traveling westbound on the freeway and became disabled in the middle of freeway on the number 3 lane. A big rig then collided with the car causing it to fly into the center divider where then became engulfed in flames.
CAL FIRE crews were called and contained the fire.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. No word on whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
Traffic was at a standstill for a mile toward Cook Street until one lane was reopened shortly after 3:00 a.m. and a second lane was reopened at 4:15 a.m.
Traffic was clearing, and all lanes were reopened shortly before 5:00 a.m.
KESQ News Channel 3 / CBS Local 2 News has a crew at the scene and will bring you the latest details on News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 News this morning.
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