Suspected DUI driver causes two collisions after allegedly driving wrong way on Twentynine Palms Highway
An alleged wrong-way DUI driver led to two collisions and serious injuries.
Early Sunday morning (August 3) at around 4:00 a.m., the California Highway Patrol says that Martin Fierro, a 23-year-old from Beaumont, was driving a Chevrolet Sonic westbound in the eastbound lanes of Twentynine Palms Highway east of Yucca Park Road (at the beginning of the Yucca Grade). Christopher Bethel, a 25-year-old resident of Twentynine Palms, was driving a Hyundai Kona eastbound in the eastbound lanes when the CHP says he was hit head on by Fierro.
The Hyundai overturned and came to rest on its side. As Bethel was attempting to exit his vehicle, Jasmine Hernandez, a 19-year-old resident of Twentynine Palms was driving a Volkswagen Jetta eastbound when she crashed into the Hyundai.
Bethel sustained serious injuries and was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center to receive medical attention. Hernandez was also transported to Desert Regional Medical Center to seek treatment for a minor injury.
The CHP says that Fierro was driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Martin Fierro was arrested for investigation into DUI causing serious bodily injury and driving the wrong way on a road, and is being held at the West Valley Detention Center on $250,000 bail.
