COACHELLA: Indio resident arrested after solo-vehicle traffic collision

COACHELLA – An Indio resident was arrested, suspected of driving under the influence, after his vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle Sunday, Jan. 1. The collision happened in the area of Avenue 52 and Cypress Street in Coachella.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Coachella Police station responded to the location about 5:38 p.m., after Riverside County emergency dispatchers received a 911 call reporting the traffic collision, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Tim White.

When deputies and other emergency arrived, they made contact with Victor Manual Tellez, 38, of Indio, and another male passenger from inside Tellez’ vehicle.

Deputies conducted an investigation into the solo-vehicle traffic collision. Their investigation revealed Tellez was traveling westbound on Avenue 52 when he collided with a parked vehicle.

During their investigation, deputies determined Tellez was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.

A 38-year-old male passenger and resident of Indio, who was in Tellez’ vehicle at the time of the collision, sustained moderate head and facial injuries as a result of the collision.

Firefighter/paramedics treated the passenger, who was not identified, at the scene before the victim was transported to a local area hospital for treatment of his injuries.

At the conclusion of their investigation, deputies arrested Tellez for driving under the influence and he was booked into the Indio Jail for causing injury while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

“The Coachella Police Department encourages everyone not operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” White wrote in a press release after the incident and arrest. “To report during drivers, please call 911.”

An online jail records search revealed Tellez was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and he is scheduled to be arraigned at the Larson Justice Center Jan. 5.

Anyone with further information about this accident is encouraged to contact officials at the Coachella Police Department at (760) 863-8990. Callers can refer to incident file number Y170010076 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.