Carmel Valley, CA…On Friday, October 8, 2021, at 12:44 PM, a green Ford F250 was traveling eastbound on Carmel Valley Road east of Scarlett Road. At the same time a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling westbound on Carmel Valley Road approaching the Ford F250. The Jeep Grand Cherokee drove the wrong way directly into the path of the Ford F250. The wrong way driver is 29 year old Salinas resident Catherine Francesca Poma. She was taken to Natividad Medical Center for her injuries. The driver of the Ford F250 was pronounced deceased on scene and was unrestrained.

The third vehicle involved a 2021 Toyota Highlander and driven by Irma Neris Medrano was traveling behind the Ford F250. She suffered minor injuries.

Alcohol and/or drugs are not suspected to be a factor in this crash. The often violent aftermath from crashes with wrong-way drivers underscores the need for motorists to focus on driving defensively and distraction-free every time they get behind the wheel.