A fatal crash on eastbound Interstate 10 in Whitewater has claimed one life, with authorities alleging the driver was intoxicated.
The incident happened at approximately 2:20 a.m. just west of Highway 62, when 25-year-old John Hernandez of Thousand Palms lost control of his 2024 Honda Civic. According to the California Highway Patrol, the vehicle drifted to the right and overturned, rolling at least once. No other vehicles were involved.
Riverside County Fire Department crews arrived promptly and pronounced the passenger, a Cathedral City resident, dead at the scene.
Officers later determined that Hernandez appeared to be under the influence and he was subsequently taken to a regional trauma center for treatment of unspecified injuries. He has been formally arrested on suspicion of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter but has not yet been booked into a detention facility.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on the DUI crash in Whitewater to contact CHP’s San Gorgonio office at 951-846-5300.
