3 Injured In Palm Desert When Deputy Pursuit Ends In Crash

PALM DESERT, CA — Three people were injured Thursday after a pursuit involving a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy ended in a crash in Palm Desert.

Just after 8:30 a.m., Cal Fire Riverside County Firefighters arrived at the 73700 block of Frank Sinatra Drive, just east of the 37900 block of Drexell Drive in Palm Desert.

Upon arrival, the first unit reported that a Riverside County Sheriff's Department motorcycle unit was involved in the crash.

Deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for unspecified reasons shortly after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday near Monterey Avenue and Frank Sinatra Drive, according to Lt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. When the driver failed to yield, deputies initiated a pursuit that continued eastbound.

The chase ended near Frank Sinatra and Drexell drives, where the suspect vehicle collided with a pedestrian who was working in the center median. A sheriff’s deputy on a motorcycle also crashed into an uninvolved motorist, Vickers said.

"Three patients were transported to a nearby hospital with minor to moderate injuries," a spokesperson said. "Frank Sinatra from Drexell Drive to Portola Avenue has a full road closure in both directions until further notice."

The agency said Frank Sinatra Drive from Drexell Drive to Portola Avenue was temporarily closed in both directions. It was unclear when the road would reopen.

The suspect, whose identity was not released, was taken into custodywithout incident, Vickers said.

City News Service contributed to this report