UPDATE: More details released after deadly Palm Desert motorcycle crash

February 2, 2019 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Monday, Feb. 5, 12 p.m., With additional details from PDPD.

PALM DESERT — Officials have released more details after officials say a motorcyclist ran into the back of a pickup truck in Palm Desert yesterday evening, Friday, Jan. 1. The deadly crash happened at the intersection of Washington St. and E. Hovley Ln.

LEADING THE RCNS HEADLINES:
MV couple in stolen SUV ejected in fatal head-on big-rig crash
Elderly Palm Desert woman critical after brutal assault, 1 arrested
County-wide Pot shop raids included Hemet’s “Valley Ice Cream” store

Deputes assigned to Palm Desert Police Department responded to a report of a major injury traffic collision between a Nissan pickup truck and Harley Davidson motorcycle around 7:18 p.m., according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt Randy Vasquez.

Despite life-saving efforts by paramedics, the motorcycle rider succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other driver was uninjured in the collision.

Officials have not yet publicly named the victim, pending notification of the motorcyclist’s family; but have said the motorcyclist was a 41-year-old male.

Based on the circumstances, members of Palm Desert PD’s Traffic Team responded to the scene and assumed the collision investigation.

During their preliminary investigation, Traffic Team members determined the motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, was traveling southbound on Washington St. at a high rate of speed “when the motorcycle collided into the rear of the Nissan truck which was stopped for a red signal light at the intersection of Hovley Ln,” explained Vasquez.

Deputies investigating the collision called for the temporary closure of the southbound lanes of Washington St., between Avenue 41 and Hovley Ln. The roadway was reopened several hours later.

“It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor in this collision,” according to Vasquez, who said the sheriff’s investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed this collision or has further information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy James Miller from the Palm Desert Police Department’s Traffic Team at (760) 836-1600. Callers can refer to incident file number T190320107 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

Fatality Traffic Collision – RPT @ 7:19 p.m. : Washington St. X Hovley Ln. Palm Desert. Vehicle vs. motorcycle. Motorcycle rider perished at the scene. No other injuries. RSO investigating, contact them with any questions. BC, 2 ENG, 1 FD MEDIC UNIT, AMR, RSO #WASHINGTONincident
— CAL FIRE Riverside (@CALFIRERRU) February 2, 2019

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 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.