By News Channel 3
newsline3@kesq.com

BERMUDA DUNES - Nadia Gonzalez says her brother, Raul Gonzalez is lucky to be alive.  He was in the car and good friends with 17-year-old Lisel J. Wiedemann who was killed in Sunday night's car accident.  Three other teens along with Raul were injured in the single-vehicle crash in Pinyon Pines.  Nadia Gonzalez says, "It's hard to come to grips that he was about to die, he could have died."

The crash on Highway 74, west of Carrizo Road, was reported at 7:52 p.m.Sunday, CHP Officer Scott Beauchene said.  Lydia Emer, 18, of Bermuda Dunes, was driving a 2008 Dodge Caliber east when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle drifted onto the right side of the road and went down a steep embankment, Beauchene said.

The Dodge struck a rock outcropping before flipping onto its roof, he said. Lisel J. Wiedemann of Palm Desert was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:07 p.m., according to the Riverside County coroner's office.

Emer, along with Joseph Nicole, 18, of Mountain Center, a 17-year-old girl whose name was withheld, and Raul Gonzalez, 18, of Palm Desert, were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment of moderate to critical injuries, according to Beauchene.  Nicole suffered a brain injury, collapsed lungs and a broken back, the officer said. Gonzalez reported back pain, and the 17-year-old complained of pain to her elbow and head.  Emer was treated for lacerations to her cheek and arms.