One Teen Killed and One Fights for Her Life After Crash While En Route to Coachella

BANNING – On their way to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, three friends were involved in a crash, killing an 18-year-old San Diego woman and leaving a 16-year-old San Diego girl with life-threatening injuries.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the three were on their way to the festival located at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio at the time of the collision that occurred at around 4:15 a.m. on Thursday. The trio, including 18-year-old Ginevra Gallone- Latte, 16-year-old Manuela Cerciello-Rahbari, and the 21-year-old driver, Cesar Hernandez-Ozuna, were heading eastbound on the 10 freeway at a high rate of speed in the slow lane of traffic. CHP officials said. For reasons that remain under investigation, the vehicle drifted over the edge of the road onto a dirt shoulder. The driver attempted to gain control of the vehicle attempting to get back onto the freeway but went over the embankment and into two trees.

Gallone-Latte was ejected from the vehicle that was split into two as a result of the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene. Cerciello-Rahbari a La Jolla High School student, was rushed to a local hospital suffering from major life-threatening injuries. Hernandez-Ozuna was left with a laceration to his face officials said.

CHP officials said that although the vehicle was loaded with food, camping gear, and alcohol, they have ruled out alcohol and drugs as a factor in the crash. A Go Fund Me account has been set up to assist with any medical bills or other medical-related cost associated with the injury of Manuela Cerciello Rahbari.

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