Was Fatigue a Factor in Fatal Coachella-Bound Crash?

May 15,2018

Last month, an 18-year-old was killed in a car accident on her way to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The crash happened on I-10 at 4:15 a.m. The victim, Ginevra Gallone-Latte, was ejected during the severe crash. She died at the scene.

Investigators are now saying that fatigue likely contributed to the accident. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) completed a mechanical inspection on the 2009 BMW 328i that was involved in the fatal crash. They say the driver, 21-year-old Cesar Hernandezozuna, allowed the vehicle to drift off the highway and onto the south dirt shoulder. He lost control of the car as he tried to maneuver it back into the eastbound lanes. The BMW then slammed into two trees, splitting the vehicle in two and ejecting Gallone-Latte.

The investigation revealed that the vehicle was exceeding the 70 mph speed limit leading up to the crash. However, officers said that the speed was not excessive, and that fatigue is more likely to have been a main contributor to the crash.

The driver suffered non life-threatening injuries. However, the third passenger in the vehicle, 16-year-old Manuela Cerciellorahbari, sustained severe injuries, including a fractured spine and a punctured lung. According to her family, her condition is slowly improving.

“Our hearts go out to the crash victims and their loved ones. Driving while fatigued is comparable to driving while under the influence. Just missing one or two hours of a healthy amount of sleep can double your risk of crashing,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.