Imperial Valley Press Quick News

IID names new general manager

After nine months without a permanent general manager, the Imperial Irrigation District named a veteran engineer and administrator to the top executive post Friday.

Brian J. Brady, 59, the current general manager of the Rancho California Water District in Temecula, a civil engineer and doctorate holder was unanimously selected by the IID’s board of directors weeks ago, said IID spokesman Kevin Kelly. Since then Brady had been negotiating his terms and conditions of employment, precluding an earlier announcement. Brady was given a four-year contract worth $275,000 per year, Kelly said.

“Brian Brady comes to the IID with more than 30 years of engineering, management and organizational experience in the water and energy fields. We believe that he is the right individual to lead the district at this pivotal juncture in its history,” said IID Board President John Pierre Menvielle through a press release.    

While at the Rancho California District, Brady integrated an aggressive resource plan in order to meet municipal, industrial and agricultural needs, according to the IID’s press release. 

--- By VICTOR MORALES, Staff Writer

Indio woman injured during fatal collision

Indio

woman injured during fatal collision

By SILVIO J. PANTA

Staff Writer

An

Indio

woman remained in critical condition Monday after suffering a skull fracture during a weekend collision that left a 19-year-old Rancho Mirage man dead.

Valeria E. Hernandez, 22, was flown to the University of California San Diego Medical Center following the 5 a.m. wreck that occurred Saturday on

Forrester Road

.

Hernandez was not wearing a seat belt while the driver of the jeep, identified by coroner’s officials Monday as Oscar Morales, did.

Hernandez was among five people riding in a 2007 Jeep Cherokee that was heading north on Forrester Road, south of Keystone Road, said California Highway Patrol Officer Humberto Gonzalez said.

The driver behind the wheel of a Freightliner tractor trailer hauling about 35,000 pounds of sludge was traveling the opposite direction on

Forrester Road

, Gonzalez said.

Morales allowed his vehicle to drift into the southbound lane and come directly into the path of the big rig truck.

The long haul trucker, Carmelo R. Hernandez, 25, of Rancho Mirage, steered his truck to the right toward the dirt shoulder as Morales braked and tried steering right, Gonzalez said.

The jeep struck the left side of the truck, causing it to spin in a counter-clockwise motion and strike the big rig a second time.