PALM DESERT: Pedestrian killed while crossing Hwy. 74

PALM DESERT – A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle Monday, Nov. 7. The fatal accident happened on Hwy. 74 near the intersection of Desert Heights Circle in Palm Desert and was reported to Riverside County emergency dispatchers at 5:10 p.m.

The victim’s name and age have been withheld by coroner’s officials pending identification and notification of her family.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Palm Desert Police Station and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the accident scene after emergency dispatchers received multiple 911 reports regarding the collision, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Koser.

Deputies and Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighter/paramedics arrived at the location within minutes of the dispatched call. They found the victim had sustained major traumatic injuries. She was treated at the scene before AMR medics transported her to a nearby hospital. In spite of doctor’s efforts, the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff.

Deputies from the Palm Desert Police Station’s Traffic Services Team conducted an accident investigation into the deadly collision. Their preliminary investigation determined the pedestrian was killed while she was crossing the busy highway.

“The pedestrian, who was attempting to cross Hwy. 74, ran into the street and was struck by a motor vehicle that was travelling northbound on Hwy. 74,” Koser wrote in a press release about the accident.

The driver remained at the scene of the fatal collision and was reportedly cooperating with deputies investigating the accident.

Hwy. 74 was closed during the accident investigation and traffic was diverted away from the scene of the collision while deputies conducted their investigation.

“At this time, it does not appear that alcohol or drugs were a factor,” Koser explained. “However, the investigation to determine the cause is ongoing.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has further information about the deadly accident is encouraged to contact Deputy Stone from the Palm Desert Police Department Traffic Services Team at (760) 836-1600. Callers can refer to incident file number T163120128 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.