Monterey County, CA – Dinora Maribel Gomez, 33, of Salinas, was killed on the evening of Saturday, January 10, 2026, in a three-vehicle wrong-way collision on U.S. Highway 101, according to KSBW, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol stated the crash occurred around 9:51 PM on northbound Highway 101 south of Jolon Road. Officers responded after receiving reports of multiple vehicles involved and a wrong-way driver in the northbound lanes.
Investigators reported that Paul Lee Cooper, 65, of Oregon, was driving a 2016 Toyota Tacoma southbound in the No. 1 lane of northbound Highway 101 at an unknown speed. CHP said Cooper’s level of impairment may have caused him to travel the wrong direction on the highway.
At the same time, Gomez was driving a 2006 Toyota Corolla northbound in the No. 1 lane with an 11-year-old male passenger. A 36-year-old man from King City was also traveling northbound in the No. 2 lane in a 2014 Honda Accord at approximately 60 MPH, with a 27-year-old female passenger.
According to CHP, the front of the Tacoma collided with the front of the Corolla. The force of the impact pushed the Corolla southbound, where its rear then struck the front of the Honda.
Gomez sustained blunt-force trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene by AMR paramedics. The 11-year-old passenger in the Corolla suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
Cooper was transported to Natividad Medical Center with major injuries and was arrested at the hospital, CHP said. The occupants of the Honda Accord sustained moderate to minor injuries and transported themselves to Mee Memorial Hospital.
Authorities reported that all occupants in all vehicles were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. CHP said all three vehicles were seized and are being held as evidence as part of the investigation.
The roadway was fully closed for several hours while emergency responders, investigators, and Caltrans personnel managed traffic control, conducted scene documentation, and arranged for evidence tows. The case remains under active investigation, and no additional details have been released.
Ongoing Investigations
Victims of traffic accidents and their families should be aware that authorities may fail to note or even misinterpret critical evidence at a crash site. One of the services that a Personal Injury Attorney can provide is to pursue follow-up investigations, which can reveal additional evidence to correct any errors made by previous investigators.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Wrongful Death Claims
Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide support to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income.
Monterey Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Monterey Fatal Car Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
