Two collisions occurred last week on Highway 74 — one a fatality — according to California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Matt Napier.
On June 17 at 7:40 p.m., Ciara Siobhan Alforque, 23 of Banning, was driving her black 2016 Kia Soul westbound on Highway 74 5.1 miles west of McGaugh Road at a stated speed of 40 mph. For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered onto the right-hand shoulder. She over-corrected, went across the highway and collided with the guardrail on the other side of the highway. Alforque was uninjured and was able to drive away from the scene.
On June 15 at 4:30 p.m., Jared Michael Ellis, 31 of Mountain Center, was driving his white 2003 Ford Explorer westbound on Highway 74 west of Palm Canyon Drive at an estimated speed of 60-70 mph. For unknown reasons, he crossed the double-yellow line and traveled off the southbound side of the highway.
He struck a rock mountainside before rolling down an embankment, overturning multiple times. Ellis was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from his vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
