Victim in Fatal Crash on WB 60 West of Badlands was Cathedral City Woman

The victim in a fatal crash on the westbound 60 Freeway late Saturday in Moreno Valley was a 28-year-old Cathedral City woman, and the driver faces manslaughter charges, a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman said Monday.

The driver, Caroline Lemus, 20, of Palm Springs, and two other passengers were injured in the crash, which occurred just before 10:20 p.m. Saturday Feb. 25 on the 60 east of Redlands Boulevard, CHP Officer Sylvia Vargas said in a statement.

Lemus was driving a 1996 Plymouth Voyager west on the 60 "at an excessive speed" and "allowed the vehicle to veer towards the left into the dirt center median," Vargas said.

"The Plymouth struck the concrete divider then traveled to the right to re-enter the lanes where it overturned, landing on its roof," Vargas said.

Three engine crews and three ambulance crews responded, Cal Fire-Riverside County spokeswoman Jody Hagemann said.

One passenger was and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel, Vargas said.

The deceased victim was identified as a 28-year-old Cathederal City woman. Her name was not released.

Lemus and two other passengers, Julie Magdaleno, 19, of Cathedral City, and Leslie E. Gutierrez, 18, of Palm Springs, were transported to Riverside County Regional Medical Center with "moderate to major injuries" that were not considered life-threatening, Vargas said.

All were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision. Lemus is facing manslaughter charges, Vargas said.

A crash investigation by the CHP was continuing. The crash location was west of the Badlands and about 10 miles west of Beaumont.