It happened along Interstate 10 Freeway near the Whitewater rest stop
WHITEWATER, CA, (February 07, 2025) - Authorities say a man driving the wrong way caused a three-vehicle wreck early Friday morning in Whitewater, killing himself and sending three others to the hospital.
Kenneth Montenegro, a 25-year-old Palm Springs resident, was killed, and two others sustained major injuries in the wake of a wrong-way crash early Friday in Whitewater, authorities said.
The deceased motorist has been identified as 25-year-old Palm Springs resident Kenneth Montenegro.
According to a preliminary investigation, around 2:30 a.m., Montenegro was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 Freeway near the Whitewater rest stop at mile marker 26.4, where he was involved in a crash with two other cars whose description was not immediately available. The 25-year-old died at the scene, while three people were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Among the three hospitalized, two had major injuries. The third person's condition was not known.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating.
WRONG-WAY CRASH INVESTIGATION
The victims may face a long road to recovery, and the overall process can be overwhelming. However, a skilled auto accident attorney can compassionately guide victims through this challenging time while protecting their legal rights and best interests.
NTSB statistics reveal that as many as 75% of all wrong-way crashes result from a driver getting behind the wheel while under the influence.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said it is imperative to conduct an independent investigation into cases such as this.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party,” added Bond.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Pending the investigation results, the injured victims may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Newsline, noted that the stress and worry following a serious injury could be overwhelming, disrupting all aspects of life, including family, work, finances, and overall quality of life.
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client,” she added.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
Have you been in a similar accident and need help? Speak to Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond now free of charge for a no-obligation consultation
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).