Banning Crash Update: Fatigue A Factor In Coachella-Bound Fatal

BANNING, CA — Fatigue and an unsafe turning movement are believed to have contributed to a deadly crash along Interstate 10 earlier this month, as a group of teenagers set out to the Coachella music festival but never made it. That's according to the California Highway Patrol who said they've now concluded a mechanical inspection on the 2009 BMW 328i which was destroyed in the wreck on the morning of April 12.

Cesar Hernandezozuna, 21, was driving the sedan eastbound on I-10 when the crash occurred around 4:15 a.m. near Hargrave Street in Banning, according to the CHP. Manuela Cerciellorahbari, 16, and Ginevra Gallone-Latte, 18, were riding as passengers in the car.

The two girls were not only best friends, but cousins, according to NBC San Diego.

"The BMW was loaded with food, alcohol and camping gear as all three people were on their way to the Coachella Festival at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio," CHP Officer Darren Meyer said in a news release the day after the crash.

The group never arrived at festival, though. As they were passing through Banning — about 45 minutes shy of their intended final destination — Hernandezozuna started to drift off the roadway near a sweeping curve, according to Meyer.

"He allowed his vehicle to drift off of the south road edge and onto the south dirt shoulder," the CHP officer said. "Hernandezozuna lost control of the BMW as he attempted to steer it back into the eastbound lanes."

That's when the BMW slammed into two trees.

"The severity of the collision severed the vehicle into two pieces, ejecting the 18-year old-rear passenger," Meyer said.

Images from the scene showed pieces of the barely-recognizable vehicle scattered along the shoulder. The front half of the vehicle landed on its roof, with Hernandezozuna and Cerciellorahbari inside, according to reports from the scene.

Gallone-Latte was in the back seat and though CHP officials believe she was wearing her seatbelt, she was ejected. She died at the scene about 30 minutes after the collision, according to coroner's reports.

"We think she did [have her seatbelt on], but because of the severity of the impact, the car split," Meyer told Patch. "So even though she had her seatbelt on it, didn't prevent her from being ejected in this case, it was too extreme."

Initial reports indicated that Hernandezozuna may have been speeding, but Meyer said this week that the CHP investigation revealed the speed was not the main contributing factor to the cause of the crash. Alcohol and drugs have also been ruled out as factors in the crash.

"Evidence from the mechanical inspection indicated the vehicle was exceeding the 70 mph speed limit, but investigators believe the speed was not excessive," he told Patch.

"Investigating officers believe that fatigue may be a factor," he said.

The driver's injuries were considered non life-threatening and consisted primarily of a large cut to the left side of his face, according to Meyer. As for Cerciellorahbari, who was sitting in the front passenger seat when the crash occurred — she suffered "very serious, life-threatening injuries" including a fractured spine and punctured lung,

Reports indicated the 16-year-old was in a coma after crash. However,the most recent update on a GoFundMe page set up to help raise money for medical bills indicated her condition was slowly improving.

"Manuela is doing a lot better, she is expected a full recovery, only time can tell," the page's organizer wrote last week. "Thank you everyone for your love [and] support."

Loved ones are trying to raise $100,000 to help with expenses for the teen's care. So far, just under $14,000 has been raised. Click here if you'd like to donate.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner

Crash photo via a Patch reader / Photos of Manuela Cerciellorahbari via GoFundMe