DESERT CENTER – A 40-year-old Moreno Valley woman lost her life as a result of a Desert Center crash on Sunday, July 15, 2018.
At around 10:57 a.m. CHP Officers responded to the report of a single-vehicle traffic collision involving a 2003 Prius on the I-10 eastbound, west of Desert Center. CHP officials said that the Prius, for reasons that remain under investigation traveled to the left and off of the roadway causing the vehicle to overturn. The vehicle came to a rest on its side in the open dirt center median. Rachel Lopez, the driver was airlifted to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, where she died as a result of her injuries.
A 48-year-old male passenger suffered moderate injuries and was transported to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital. Two boys, 15 and 8-years-old suffered only minor injuries and also went to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the collision and the cause remains under investigation. All occupants in the vehicle were in the vehicle were secured in their seatbelts at the time of the crash. The I-10 eastbound was closed for around 30 minutes so that the helicopter could land to transport the badly injured, and now deceased woman.
