Details Released In Fatal Beaumont SR-60 Crash, 1 Arrest Made

BEAUMONT, CA — A three-vehicle crash Friday on state Route 60 in Beaumont that killed a 47-year-old woman was the result of unsafe driving by the deceased and another motorist, according to a news Tuesday news release from the California Highway Patrol.

Gina Marie Herrera of Westminster, Colorado, was fatally injured about 10:20 p.m. on the eastbound 60 at Jack Rabbit Trail, according to the CHP and the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau.

Herrera was driving a green Honda Civic on westbound SR-60 when she "unsafely changed lanes" and cut off the driver of a gray Cadillac XTS, the CHP reported.

The Cadillac smashed into the Honda's rear, causing Herrera to lose control.

The Honda ended up on the eastbound side of SR-60 where a blue Kia Niro hit its left side. Herrera, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the Civic and died at the scene, the CHP reported.

The Cadillac driver, a 20-year-old Moreno Valley woman, was arrested for driving under the influence, according to the CHP.

The Kia driver, a 44-year-old Palm Springs woman, was hospitalized with serious crash injuries. Her passenger, a 31-year-old Palm Desert man, was sent to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Traffic on eastbound SR-60 was diverted at Gilman Springs Road until 2:15 a.m. Saturday due to the crash investigation. The westbound side of the freeway was closed intermittently.

Anyone with additional information about the crash was asked to contact CHP Officer Jason Montez at 951-769-2000 ext. 221, or after hours at 916-407-7511.