According to the Indio Police Department, Elvis Ponce Jr. died in a crash that happened around 7:10 p.m. on April 26 at Avenue 44 and Arabia Street.
Indio, CA – Authorities identified the 22-year-old man who died in a head-on collision involving a possibly intoxicated driver Sunday evening near an intersection in Indio.
According to the Indio Police Department, Elvis Ponce Jr. died in a crash that happened around 7:10 p.m. on April 26 at Avenue 44 and Arabia Street.
A 27-year-old driver of a Toyota Corolla collided head-on with a Honda Accord driven by a 31-year-old man.
Ponce was pronounced dead at the scene after the collision. He was a passenger in the Corolla.
The Honda driver and his 2 passengers – a 33-year-old woman and their 8-year-old son – suffered unspecified injuries. The driver was taken to the hospital by ground ambulance. The woman and the boy were taken to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio, from where they were airlifted to Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Riverside. Both patients had stable vital signs.
According to police, an unresponsive man was found lying on the road next to the Corolla. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition. It was unclear whether he was a passenger in the Corolla or was possibly a pedestrian.
Authorities also added that the driver of the Corolla fled the scene on foot but was later located on Arabia Street and arrested without incident. He was hospitalized with unknown injuries.
An investigation into the collision is ongoing.
Original Story
Indio, CA – A tragic collision that happened in Indio on Sunday evening claimed the life of one person and left five others injured, according to the Indio Police Department.
At around 7:10 p.m. April 26, authorities received reports of a head-on collision on Avenue 44 and Arabia Street.
According to police, a 27-year-old man driving a Toyota Corolla was involved in a collision with a Honda Accord in the area. The circumstances that led to the accident were still under investigation.
A male passenger in the Toyota, whose identity was not released, was declared deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Toyota reportedly fled the scene on foot but was located and taken into custody shortly after. The driver was taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries.
The driver of the Honda, a 31-year-old man, was also transported by ambulance to a hospital with unspecified injuries.
Two passengers in the Accord, a 33-year-old woman and an 8-year-old boy, were both taken to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio and were later airlifted to Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Riverside. The extent of their injuries was not released.
A man was found lying unresponsive near the Toyota and was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. It’s unclear whether the man was a passenger in the vehicle or a pedestrian.
According to Indio police, the driver of the Toyota was suspected to have been driving while impaired.
The department’s Traffic Division is investigating the incident and anyone with information is urged to contact 760-391-4057.