Palm Desert, CA– On Friday, July 20, 2012, about 6:20 AM, members from the Palm Desert Police Department responded to two separate traffic collisions within the Palm Desert Country Club. Each of these collisions involved  62-year-old Terry Lagorio,  both accidents occurred within ¼ of a mile of each other.

The initial traffic collision occurred on California Drive, west of Tennessee Avenue, when a 51-year-old female jogger was struck from behind by a Toyota pickup. After striking the jogger, the pickup veered off of the roadway and caused damage to some landscaping to a private residence, before driving off, continuing eastbound on California Drive.  Lagorio continued toward Tennessee Avenue and Kentucky Avenue, where he veered off of the roadway, struck a parked vehicle and collided into a home. At about 6:40 AM, members from the Traffic Services Team for the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to the scene and took over this investigation.

The driver of the pickup was transported to Eisenhower Medical Center and pronounced deceased by attending medical physicians. The female jogger was also transported to Eisenhower Medical Center and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The owner of the residence that was struck by the Toyota was home at the time of the collision, but was not injured. The Toyota caused moderate structural damage, but did not penetrate the interior of the home. Utility companies were also notified and assisted in the repairs.

As a result of this incident, no one other than the one home owner suffered any loss of utility services. The roadway in the area on Tennessee Avenue between Utah Circle and Indiana Avenue was closed to through traffic for approximately three hours. The roadway has been reopened.

The investigation to determine the cause of this traffic collision is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this traffic collision is encouraged to contact Officer Benson at the Palm Desert Police Department. (760) 836-1600.