Morongo Valley, California (December 24, 2025) — A Christmas Eve rainstorm set the stage for a violent four-vehicle collision on Twentynine Palms Highway that left Kent Usher of Banning with significant injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Incident Details: The crash occurred near Bella Vista Drive as weather conditions deteriorated. Authorities said Usher was driving a 2018 Jeep Wrangler when it was struck by a westbound 2020 Toyota Camry driven by Eden Caccavari of Joshua Tree. CHP Officer B. Schmidt reported that Caccavari lost control of the Camry while approaching Bella Vista Drive, causing it to collide with Usher’s Jeep.
After the initial impact, both the Wrangler and the Camry traveled south across Twentynine Palms Highway and into the path of an eastbound 2025 International tractor-trailer driven by Juan Uribelara of Loma Linda. The tractor-trailer then struck both vehicles, causing significant damage. Moments later, the Camry was struck again by an eastbound 2022 Mercedes SUV.
Paramedics with Morongo Basin Ambulance transported Usher to Desert Regional Medical Center with major injuries. Caccavari and Uribelara were taken to Hi Desert Medical Center with suspected minor injuries. No information was released regarding the injuries to the driver of the Mercedes SUV.
Investigation: The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision. In multi-vehicle crashes during adverse weather, investigators typically focus on speed, loss of control, and whether drivers adjusted their driving behavior to account for rain-slicked roadways. Rain can significantly reduce traction and visibility, increasing stopping distances and the likelihood of chain-reaction crashes.
Investigators are expected to review physical evidence from the scene, including vehicle damage patterns, final resting positions, and roadway conditions at the time of the crash. They may also examine whether following distances were adequate and whether the tractor-trailer driver had sufficient time to react once the disabled vehicles entered the eastbound lanes.
Legal Considerations: Multi-vehicle crashes involving commercial trucks often raise complex liability questions, particularly when one vehicle loses control and triggers a chain reaction of collisions. From a civil perspective, determining responsibility may involve evaluating the driver’s conduct, vehicle speed, and compliance with safe driving practices during hazardous weather conditions.
For Kent Usher and his family, the aftermath of the crash extends beyond the initial emergency response. Serious injuries can bring long-term medical care, lost income, and significant emotional strain. Pending the outcome of the investigation, Usher and the other injured victims may consider pursuing a personal injury claim to address medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and the broader impact the collision has on their lives. While an investigation works to establish the cause of the crash, accountability can be an important step toward helping families move forward after a life-altering event.
My thoughts are with Kent Usher and the other individuals harmed in this incident.
Source: Hi-Desert Star