Hemet, CA - Nicholas McWhirter, 41, and Son Dominic, 9, Killed in Three-Car Crash

Hemet, California (June 10, 2026) - Nicholas McWhirter, 41, and his 9-year-old son, Dominic, were both killed in a three-car crash at the intersection of Ramona Expressway and Lincoln Avenue near Hemet, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP said the crash occurred at around 6 p.m. According to a CHP news release, an 18-year-old Hemet woman was driving a Nissan Rogue on Lincoln Avenue, approaching the intersection to turn left onto Ramona Expressway. At the same time, McWhirter was driving a Nissan Versa east on Ramona Expressway, nearing the intersection. "For reasons still under investigation, the two vehicles collided at the intersection," CHP said. The impact caused the Nissan Versa to spin out of control counterclockwise into the westbound lanes of Ramona Expressway, where it was struck by a Ford Mustang Mach-E driven by a 34-year-old Hemet woman.

Nicholas McWhirter and Dominic were both pronounced dead at the scene. Both were identified by the Riverside County Sheriff's Office - Coroner. CHP said the department believes they were both properly restrained at the time of the crash. The driver and a passenger in the Nissan Rogue, along with the driver of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, were transported to Riverside University Health System. Their injuries ranged from minor to moderate. "It is currently unknown if alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash," CHP said.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

The loss of a father and his young son in a crash like this is a grief no family should carry alone. California law may give the family the right to pursue a wrongful death claim, and that process can begin before the investigation concludes.

What Families Should Know After a Fatal Crash in California

Can a family pursue a civil claim while the investigation is still open?

Yes. A wrongful death claim runs independently of any CHP investigation or traffic enforcement proceeding. Families do not need to wait for the investigation to conclude before consulting an attorney or beginning the civil process.

Who may be liable in a crash involving multiple vehicles?

When three vehicles are involved, more than one driver may share responsibility. Attorneys and investigators examine each driver's conduct at the point of collision, including right-of-way obligations, speed, and any contributing factors at the intersection. Because CHP has confirmed the cause remains under investigation, those findings will shape which parties may be named in a civil claim.

What about alcohol or drug involvement?

CHP stated in their release that it is currently unknown whether alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash. If that investigation produces findings, a family's civil attorney should be informed immediately, as impairment can affect the damages available in a wrongful death claim.

What is the deadline to file?

Under California law, wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death (CCP § 377.60). The crash occurred on June 10, 2026. The filing deadline is June 10, 2028. The three people who survived with injuries carry the same deadline under California's personal injury statute (CCP § 335.1).

Contact Our Southern California Wrongful Death Attorneys

There is no right time to think about legal options after losing a father and a child. When your family is ready, the Law Offices of Christian Contreras is here to answer your questions without pressure.

Our Southern California wrongful death attorneys have recovered more than $200 million for clients across the region, including a $5 million wrongful death settlement. Multi-vehicle intersection crashes involve overlapping questions of fault and multiple insurance carriers, and having an attorney who knows how to navigate both makes a meaningful difference for a family's recovery.

We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. No upfront costs and no fees unless we win.

Why Injured Clients Trust Christian Contreras Law

• $200M+ recovered for clients
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Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.