One of three victims in two related La Quinta crashes was providing aid in first collision
Three people are dead and one "significantly" injured after a series crashes involving multiple vehicles and a pedestrian in La Quinta Tuesday night, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. One person who died had been assisting victims of the first crash.
Sgt. Deirdre Vickers said deputies were first dispatched to respond to the crash the area of Highway 111 and Simon Drive at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday. The three people were pronounced dead at the scene while a fourth was hospitalized.
Investigators have determined the first crash was a motorcycle traveling eastbound on Highway 111 that struck a pedestrian who was crossing the roadway. The collision caused the motorcycle driver to be ejected. Both the motorcycle driver and pedestrian died. The motorcycle came to a rest in the westbound traffic lanes of Highway 111.
The second crash occurred when a White Chevy pickup traveling westbound on the highway struck the motorcycle that remained in the roadway. Investigators say that collision caused the Chevy to veer into the median and hit two people who were providing aid to the motorcycle rider. One of the people who was aiding the motorcyclist died as a result of the Chevy hitting them while a second one was brought to a hospital with what the department described as "significant injuries."
The release stated that the driver of the pickup remained at the scene and has cooperated with investigators. It also said that it is not believed that alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash but did not mention if any conclusion has been made about fault in the crashes.
The coroner identified the three dead people as 26-year-old Brandt Celli of Indio, 47-year-old Katherine Vogts of Palm Desert, and 33-year-old Maria Reyes of La Quinta. The reports did not identify which individual was in each role.
As of 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, both Highway 111 and Simon Drive remained closed around the crash site. Simon Drive is located just west of the intersection of Highway 111 and Washington Street in a corridor that is home to several retail businesses and restaurants.
This is a developing story.
Contributing: City News Service
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Three dead after crashes with two vehicles, pedestrian in La Quinta
