One dead, one injured in collision

Jesus Abraham Ayala Hernandez,

29, of El Centro, died after being involved in a two-vehicle collision Monday night, the county coroner’s office announced.

Hernandez was the sole occupant and driver of one vehicle, while a 19-year-old El Centro man was the sole occupant and driver of the other vehicle.

The collision occurred about 11:18 p.m. at the intersection of Dogwood Road and West Cole Road, which is located northwest of Calexico.

Hernandez succumbed to blunt force trauma he sustained from the collision. The other driver, who also required immediate medical attention, sustained moderate injuries.

Just prior to the collision, Hernandez was traveling westbound on Cole in a black Hyundai Elantra.

At this time, the other driver, who was traveling in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, was traveling southbound on Dogwood, approaching Cole.

For reasons still under investigation, Hernandez drove into the direct path of the Grand Cherokee, a California Highway Patrol news release stated.

First responders arrived and discovered both vehicles along the right shoulder of southbound Dogwood, south of Cole.

The 19-year-old driver reportedly sustained a laceration to his knee.

The drivers of both vehicles were found to have been wearing their seatbelt during the collision.

There were no arrests.

The Elantra had visible signs of major damage sustained from the collision, while the Cherokee had visible signs of major front-end damage.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation, the news release stated.