A 29-year-old Moreno Valley woman tragically died Tuesday night when another vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and struck her car head-on the CHP reported. The accident occurred just after 8 p.m. on Highway 74 (West Florida Avenue, outside the Four Seasons gated community, between Calvert Avenue and Four Seasons Boulevard. The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner identified the victim as Nicole Mena, 29, of Moreno Valley.
According to news reports in the Press-Enterprise, Nicole Mena was driving a 1996 Acura Integra westbound on Highway 74, while at the same time, Mamdouh Salem, 43, of Hemet, was driving a 2008 Nissan Quest eastbound. For unknown reasons, Salem crossed into the westbound lane and collided with Mena's Acura Integra head-on. Nicole Mena died at the scene of the accident. Salem, who travelling with a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 4-year-old, suffered minor injuries along with the two of the children.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Nicole Mena, and everyone who knew her and loved her. The sudden loss of a loved one in a head-on crash like this one is absolutely heartbreaking.
This is not the first fatal head-on collision on Highway 74 this year. Three people died in a head-on crash on March 9th, about a mile west of Warren Road, about 1.6 miles from the scene of the July 6th crash.
Cause of the Highway 74 Crash
If news reports are accurate, the driver of the Nissan Quest caused this July 6th crash, by driving eastbound in the westbound lane. Based on the limited information provided, it is not clear why Salem crossed over into incoming traffic; the California Highway Patrol is still investigating exactly what happened.
Fault and Wrongful Death Liability
Based on the news reports, Nicole Mena was unable to prevent this horrific head-on collision, and was not at fault for the accident. While the crash remains under investigation, her family may benefit from speaking to an experienced, aggressive Riverside wrongful death attorney, who can help hold accountable the party or parties responsible for this Highway 74 car accident. A skilled lawyer can explain to the victim's family their legal rights and options in holding the at-fault driver responsible in a wrongful death claim, and the types of damages they may be entitled to for the loss of their loved one.
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