3 Killed in Wrong-Way Driver Crash on 10 Freeway Near Coachella, CA

Two From Arizona Identified as Meliton Perez-Dominguez, Lizeth Duran Martinez

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (April 16, 2026) — A wrong-way driver, Guillermo Ocampo Bahena, 71, of Orange, was one of three people killed Tuesday night in a head-on crash on the Interstate 10 Freeway in the Coachella area, according to the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner.

Meanwhile, two innocent victims, Lizeth Duran Martinez, 39, and Meliton Perez-Dominguez, 39, both of Phoenix, AZ, also died in the crash.

The collision occurred around 10 p.m. on April 14th on the eastbound Interstate 10, just east of Dillon Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The 71-year-old man was driving a Toyota Camry sedan westbound in the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with a Honda Accord in the fast lane of the freeway. The wrong-way driver and both people from the Honda were all pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have since identified the driver of the Honda as Lizeth Duran Martinez, and her passenger was Meliton Perez-Dominguez.

The circumstances leading up to the crash are under investigation.

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When it matters most, trust Attorney James Johnson at Johnson Attorneys Group. We are a personal injury law firm serving clients who have been injured throughout California due to negligent motorists. If you were hurt in this collision, call 1-(800) 208-3538. We will request the police report, and the attorney will discuss your options. You are under no obligation to hire us, and there is no cost unless we win your case. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).