Collision and car fires kill two on Highway 62

A fatal collision on Highway 62 left two dead.

The California Highway Patrol says that on Friday (May 22) at around 8:15 a.m., a Lexus was driving westbound on State Route 62 near milepost marker 102, west of Cadiz Road. The CHP says that the Lexus was traveling at a high rate of speed when it entered a curve on the road and drifted off into the shoulder of the road. 

The CHP says that the Lexus re-entered the roadway and crossed into the opposing lanes of traffic, where it was broadsided by a Dodge Ram. The CHP says the Lexus was then struck by a Toyota Camry, and both the Lexus and the Toyota immediately burst into flames. The CHP says that passing motorists attempted to provide aid and that both of the drivers of the Lexus and Camry were trapped in the fire. They were pronounced dead at the scene by the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office. The driver and passenger of the Dodge were not injured.

No arrests were made, and the cause of the collision remains under investigation.

The driver of the Lexus was identified as Holly Chaffey, a 60 year-old resident of Desert Hot Springs. The driver of the Camry has yet to be identified.

The CHP is asking the public to help identify the driver of the Camry. If you have information regarding this collision, please contact the CHP’s needs office at (760) 326-2000