One person is dead and another faces arrest in what police said was a fatal collision in South Palm Springs Saturday evening that involved alcohol.
Palm Springs police said in a news release that four vehicles were involved in the incident shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of East Palm Canyon Drive and Sunrise Way (near the Smoke Tree Shopping Center and Saguaro Hotel). A vehicle driving southbound reportedly rear-ended a stopped vehicle at the intersection, setting off a chain reaction.
The driver of the first vehicle struck, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in that vehicle suffered significant injuries.
The driver of the suspect vehicle, a 57-year-old Los Angeles man, suffered significant injuries as well, police said, and was transported to a local hospital. Upon his release he is expected to face multiple DUI related violations, including murder based on the fact he has a prior DUI conviction. He is also suspected in a hit and run collision at the intersection of Ramon Road and Sunrise Way just prior to the fatal collision.
Police are encouraging witnessed to the collision to contact the PSPD Traffic Division at 760-323-8125. Anonymous information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.
The incident was the second fatality on city streets this month involving a suspected drunk driver. A crash around 1:30 a.m. July 3 on Highway 111 north of Gateway Drive in Palm Springs claimed the life of a Gardena man. The suspect in that incident entered a not guilty plea July 15.
