Father Of 2 Killed On Bermuda Dunes Roadway On Christmas Day

BERMUDA DUNES, CA — A 36-year-old father of two was killed on Christmas Day when he was struck by a Jeep while walking in the middle of a road in Bermuda Dunes, authorities said Tuesday. The man was identified by the Riverside County Coroner's Office as Ramon Contreras of Indio.

Contreras was struck by a 2006 Jeep driven by a Palm Desert woman about 3 a.m. Monday while walking in the No. 1 lane of westbound Avenue 42 just east of Jamaica Sands Drive, California Highway Patrol Officer J. Quintero said.

Evidence at the scene indicated Contreras was "highly intoxicated," Quintero said, but CHP officials said Tuesday that more investigation was needed to confirm whether Contreras was under the influence.

Contreras crossed Avenue 42's eastbound lanes, then was struck after crossing the center divider into westbound traffic, CHP Officer Mike Radford said.

The driver of the Jeep stopped at the scene "immediately and cooperated with our officers," Radford said.

The woman and two passengers in her Jeep were not injured, according to Radford, who said that Maraz was not arrested.

A fundraising page created for Contreras' family says he is survived by his wife Rachel, son Giovanni and 1-year-old daughter Sinai.

"He was an affectionate, caring and warmhearted individual who always made sure his family was taken care of," the page reads.

To contribute to the family, visit www.youcaring.com/rachelperezcontreras-1051928.

Anyone with information regarding the crash was asked to contact the Indio CHP Office at (760) 772-5300.

— By City News Service / Image via YouCaring.com