Elderly victim killed in head-on Palm Desert crash
PALM DESERT — An elderly driver was killed while another driver escaped injury this morning in a two-vehicle, head-on crash in Palm Desert. The deadly wreck happened Friday, Nov. 9, on Cook Street, directly across from Palm Desert high School.
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Nearly a dozen deputies and more than fifteen firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the scene about 11:30 a.m., after receiving reports of a traffic collision involving two vehicles, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Rod LaBrecque and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire officials.
Officials are investigating the cause of a Palm Desert crash that killed an elderly driver this morning. Paula Delacruz photo
When officials arrived they found two vehicles that had plowed head-on into each other with one of the drivers critically injured.
Despite efforts by fire and rescue personnel, the critically injured driver, described only as an elderly male, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Officials have not released the victim’s name, pending further investigation and notification of the person’s family. The other driver was uninjured, according to Cal Fire.
Based on the circumstances, members of Palm Desert PD’s Traffic Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. While they conducted their preliminary on-scene investigation, officials called for the closure of Cook St. in both directions, between Fred Waring Dr. and Aztec Rd.
Deputies’ preliminary investigation revealed the crash happened when a southbound sedan “suddenly drove into the northbound lanes” where it plowed head-on into the other car.
At this time it is unknown if alcohol, drugs, or a medical condition, were contributing factors in the fatal collision and deputies are still working to determine the cause of the crash.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has further information is asked to contact Deputy Potter from the Palm Desert Police Department’s Traffic Team at (760) 836-1600. Callers can refer to incident file number T183130067 and can remain anonymous.
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.
Fatality Traffic Collision: Cook X Santa Fe in Palm Desert. 2 vehicles, one victim perished at the scene, one victim with no injuries. BC, 2 ENG, 1 TRK, 2 MED and RSO responded. RSO Investigating. #CookIncident
— CAL FIRE Riverside (@CALFIRERRU) November 9, 2018
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Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.