Four Hospitalized in 2-Vehicle, Head-On Collision on Cherry Valley Boulevard

Four people were hospitalized Wednesday night with serious injuries when a Ford Expedition crossed the center line on Cherry Valley Boulevard and slammed into a Honda Odyssey, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver of the Odyssey was temporarily trapped and had to be extricated by firefighter-paramedics, CHP Officer Darren Meyer said.

The collision was reported at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday about a half-mile west of Hannon Road on Cherry Valley Boulevard, according to the CHP.

Armando Alvarez, 18, of Beaumont, was driving a Ford Expedition west on Cherry Valley, and Chen Ho, 62, of Beaumont, was driving the Odyssey east with two women passengers, Meyer said.

Both vehicles were traveling at about 50 miles per hour, Meyer said.

Alvarez, for unknown reasons, allowed the Expedition to cross the center line directly into the path of the Odyssey and the vehicles collided head-on, Meyer said.

All four people in the two vehicles sustained serious to severe injuries, which included broken bones, cuts and bruises, Meyer said. They were all hospitalized. An update on their conditions was unavailable Thursday.

A CHP investigator recommended Alvarez be cited for crossing over the center line and causing the collision, Meyer said. The District Attorney's Office will have final say on whether Alvarez is charged with any crimes, Meyer said.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision. Alvarez may have been distracted, Meyer said. Alvarez told the investigating officer he didn't remember if he was texting or on phone when the Expedition crossed into the path of the Odyssey, Meyer said.

Anyone with further information about the collision was urged to call the CHP San Gorgonio headquarters at (951) 769-2000.