Dust, Poor Visibility Contributed To Fatal Palm Springs Crash: Cops

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Three San Diego County residents were killed in a three-vehicle collision this weekend in Palm Springs, authorities say. Low visibility and dusty conditions were thought to have contributed to the crash.

The Riverside County coroner's office released the identities of three Escondido residents killed in the crash Monday. David Losacco, 29, Millicent Lewis, 29, and Yovani Aguilar Tapia, 32, following notification of next of kin.

Shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday, three vehicles collided on North Gene Autry Trail between Salvia Road and Via Escuela, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

Two vehicles traveling north on Gene Autry both slowed down as fine sand obscured their vision in the roadway. A third vehicle "failed to slow down, resulting in a rear-end collision with one of the vehicles," police said.

The driver and the two rear passengers of the third vehicle died. All others who were involved in the wreck suffered minor to moderate injuries and were taken to a hospital.

Neither drugs nor alcohol were considered a factor in the accident, according to reports.

Anyone with information about the wreck was urged to contact the department's traffic division at 760-323-8125.

A windblown dust advisory was in effect until 8 a.m. Wednesday in the Coachella Valley, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.