PALM DESERT: Man seriously injured in DUI-related, rollover wreck
PALM DESERT — A man officials allege was under the influence of drugs was seriously injured after his SUV crashed into another vehicle and tree and then overturned, Friday morning, Jan. 12. The accident happened on Hovley Lane, east of El Dorado Drive, in Palm Desert.
Emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene of the crash shortly before 11:30 a.m., after receiving reports of the accident, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Jorge Ramirez explained after the wreck.
When they arrived, officials learned Joshua Sarvis, 41, of Palm Desert, was driving a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe on Hovley Lane when he plowed into the back of a BMW 540i and lost control of his SUV. The Hyundai then hit a tree and overturned.
Paramedics evaluated and treated Sarvis, who sustained major injuries in the crash, and AMR medics rushed him to a local hospital, according to Ramirez, who said the driver of the BMW was not injured.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Palm Desert Police Station investigated the crash and determined Sarvis had been driving while under the influence of drugs.
Charges will be filed against Sarvis once he is released from the hospital, said Ramirez.
The investigation is active and ongoing and the Palm Desert Police Department encourages motorists to not operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to report all suspected drunk drivers by calling 911.
Anyone with information about this incident or who witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact the Palm Desert Police Department at (760) 836-1600 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867). Callers can refer to incident file number T180120064 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor 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, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 27 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 14 grandchildren.