The Riverside County Coroner’s Office has identified the man killed in a chain-reaction crash involving eight vehicles on the Interstate 10 in Palm Desert after a big rig driver veered into oncoming traffic.
George Mauricio, 62, of Yucca Valley, was driving a 2018 Peterbilt cement mixer west of Washington Street when a big rig entered the westbound lanes and broadsided his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash was reported about 7:47 a.m. April 14. A 38-year-old Menifee man driving a 2021 Mack tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound when he veered left for unknown reasons, crossed the center median and entered the westbound lanes, the California Highway Patrol previously said in a press release.
After striking Mauricio’s cement mixer, the big rig’s trailer then blocked the westbound lanes and was struck by a Jeep. The crash also involved other vehicles in the eastbound lanes “as a result of the Mack’s unsafe turning movement,” CHP said.
The driver of the big rig was hospitalized with major injuries, and several others were treated for minor to moderate injuries.
A GoFundMe page created to support Mauricio’s family said he began his day at work around 6 a.m., following his daily routine. He was described as a “very kind and extremely loving man” who loved driving his truck, enjoyed camping, hiking, horseback riding, as well as spending time with his family.
Mauricio is survived by his wife, Sarah; stepchildren Trenten and Ashlynn; and his grandson, Dean.
Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coroner identifies driver killed in multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10
Reporting by Jennifer Cortez, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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