2-Vehicle Crash in Joshua Tree leaves One Dead, Three Injured
JOSHUA TREE, Calif. (March 15, 2023) — Katherine Loarie, 45, of Palo Alto, died and three people were injured Saturday in a traffic accident on Highway 62 and Sun view Avenue in Joshua Tree.
The three injured people included one from Switzerland and at least one from Wisconsin.
The collision occurred on State Route 62 also known as Twentynine Palms Highway around 12:23 p.m. on March 11th, according to the the San Bernardino County Sheriff Coroner.
CHP officials reported the Palo Alto woman and her passenger were traveling eastbound in a Nissan on State Route 62 when she stopped on the right shoulder of the roadway, KESQ reported.
Meanwhile, Michael Reitz, 68, of Muskego, Wisconsin, and his female passenger, were traveling in the same direction in a Ford F-250 pickup truck. Apparently, Katherine Loarie’s Nissan suddenly pulled out and made a left turn in front of the vehicle, the KESQ report said.
That’s when the Ford crashed into the left, driver’s side of the Nissan. The impact caused fatal injuries to Katherine Loarie and she died on scene. However, a 47-year-old Switzerland man riding with her as a passenger in the Nissan suffered major injuries. Paramedics transported him by ambulance to Desert Regional Medical Center.
Additionally, Michael Reitz and his 67-year-old female passenger, both suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash and will determine fault.
Witnesses may contact the California Highway Patrol Morongo Basin Area station.
Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the people involved in this collision. However, for nearly two decades, our law firm has been helping obtain justice for victims of traffic accidents. If you have legal questions or concerns, please contact us at 1-800-235-6801. Johnson Attorneys Group is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Source: CHP, SBCSC, KESQ
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