RivCo Man Dead, 1 Arrested In Suspected DUI Crash Near Whitewater

WHITEWATER, CA — A 28-year-old man is dead and another man remains hospitalized following a single-vehicle crash near Whitewater in Riverside County that occurred the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Police believe Indio resident John Hernandez, 25, was under the influence while driving a silver Honda Civic on Interstate-10 eastbound, west of State Route 62 when the vehicle veered off the roadway and flipped over around 2:20 a.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jonathan Torres.

When emergency medical personnel arrived, the 28-year-old passenger, a man from Cathedral City, was pronounced dead, according to CHP. Police have not released his identity pending the notification of his family.

Hernandez was taken to a hospital, where he was arrested on suspicion of "driving under the influence resulting in fatal injuries," the CHP said.

Due to the extent of his injuries, he was still recovering at the hospital by Thursday afternoon.

Anyone with information regarding the crash was urged to
contact the California Highway Patrol San Gorgonio Pass Area at 951-846-5300.