Driver Killed In Beaumont Crash Identified As Colorado Woman

BEAUMONT, CA — California Highway Patrol investigators Monday were trying to determine what caused a two-car collision on the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway in Beaumont that killed a 47-year-old woman.

Gina Marie Herrera of Westminster, Colorado, was fatally injured about 10:20 p.m. Friday on the eastbound 60 at Jack Rabbit Trail, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Ben Bolon told City News Service that Herrera was at the wheel of a Honda Civic going westbound on the 60 at an unconfirmed speed in the No. 2 lane when her sedan and a Cadillac CTS driven by a 20-year-old Moreno Valley woman in the fast lane impacted.

"That collision propelled the Honda onto the eastbound side of the freeway," Bolon told CNS. "The Honda was then struck broadside on the passenger side by a Kia Niro going eastbound in the No. 1 lane."

Herrera was killed on impact.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department crews reached the location minutes later and rendered treatment to the Kia driver, a 44-year-old Palm Springs woman. She was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where she remained in serious condition Monday, according to the CHP spokesman.

The driver of the Cadillac was not hurt.

Bolon said it's still unknown whether alcohol or drugs may have been factors in the collision, and investigators have yet to confirm who was at fault.

Neither the Caddy or Kia driver was speeding, according to the CHP.

The parties were questioned, but no one was arrested.

The eastbound 60 was completely shut down for almost 90 minutes, while westbound lanes remained closed until shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday