Two Die in Badlands Crash After Vehicle Reportedly Cuts Another Off

Two people died "instantly" in a Wednesday night crash in the Badlands area of State Route 60, after the driver crashed into a tree while apparently swerving to avoid another vehicle, the California Highway Patrol reports. 

According to CHP Officer Darren Meyer, the crash happened around 7:21 p.m. on the westbound side of the 60, near Jack Rabbit Trail, in Beaumont.

According to Meyer, a Cathedral City woman, 34, was driving her black Toyota Camry, when witnesses say "...an unidentified vehicle unsafely changed lanes in front of the Camry causing [the driver] to swerve."

At that point, the woman lost control, and drove off the north edge of the highway, according to Meyer.  The two passengers inside the Camry-- a 19-year-old Artesia woman and 36-year-old Las Vegas man--  "were killed instantly," Meyer said.

"After the collision, [the driver] was conscious, but trapped, in the wreckage of her car," Meyer said.  "She was able to use her cellular phone to call family in Cathedral City who, in turn, called 9-1-1 to report the crash.  CHP and firefighters were dispatched and arrived on scene shortly thereafter."

The woman was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley with injuries described as major.  

The CHP is now looking for any witnesses to the crash.  If you saw something, contact the San Gorgonio Pass CHP office at (951) 769-2000.