On Saturday, December 29, 2012, about 1:10 AM, deputies from the La Quinta Police Department responded to the area of eastbound Avenue 52 east of Madison Street in the city of La Quinta regarding a reported major injury traffic collision. The initial investigation revealed that a single vehicle was traveling eastbound on Avenue 52 at a high rate of speed when it struck a palm tree in the center median. At the collision scene, two vehicle occupants were found deceased. Two other vehicle occupants sustained major injuries. One occupant was transported to John F. Kennedy Hospital and the other was transported by helicopter to Desert Regional Hospital. One of the occupants later died from their injuries. Upon further investigation, it appears alcohol is a factor in this fatal collision.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and La Quinta Police Department would like to remind the public to celebrate responsibly over the New Year’s Eve Weekend, and that alcohol-impaired driving leads to serious injuries and deaths. The La Quinta Police Department is committed to working aggressively to reduce the incidents of needless tragedy that accompanies any alcohol or drug-related collision.
The investigation to determine the cause of the traffic collision is continuing. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact the La Quinta Police Department and Thermal Station at (760) 863-8990.
