Passenger of Suspected Driver Killed After His Hits Semi Truck in Whitewater

The California Highway patrol reported that a passenger in a Chevrolet Suburban was killed instantly when the driver, suspected of driving under the influence (DUI), rear-ended a semi truck on Interstate 10 in Whitewater, California. The driver of the SUV was taken to Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley in critical condition.

The accident occurred on Monday, August 20, at about 3:34 a.m in the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 about a mile east of the Whitewater exit. Whitewater is located in Riverside County about 99 miles east of Los Angeles. Both men were trapped in the SUV and had to be pulled from the vehicle by firefighters.

The deceased was identified as a 62-year-old man from Calipatria. His name was not released at the time of the accident.The driver of the SUV was identified as Samuel Felix, 33, of Calipatria. According to the CHP and Riverside County Fire Department, Felix was taken to Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley in critical condition. He was arrested at the hospital on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Investigators aren’t sure how fast Felix was driving but said he was likely above the 70 mph limit as he drove directly into the big rig, which was heading west at about 50 mph.
Both men were trapped in the SUV and had to be pulled from the vehicle by firefighters.The Truck driver was identified as Sergiy Savchuk, 56, of Oceanside. Intitial reports say he was wasn’t hurt in the accident.