Dead Child Found Along SR-74 Near Pinyon Crest

PALM DESERT, CA — A dead child was found near the scene of a car crash Wednesday along Highway 74 near the town of Pinyon Crest, stemming from an earlier altercation that began near Southwest Community Church in Indian Wells, authorities said.

Deputies responded at 8:30 a.m. to an assault call in the 44000 block of Washington Street, outside the church, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Sgt. Deanna Pecoraro.

Arriving deputies located an injured woman, who was taken to a local hospital with non-critical injuries, and learned a man had fled the scene in a car.

Shortly after, deputies learned that a rollover crash reported about 9 a.m. near mile marker 85 on Highway 74 could be connected to the original call.

The California Highway Patrol reported a car had plunged about 200 feet off the side of the road, and that a body was found near the scene, but did not provide additional details.

Pecoraro said a deceased minor was found "in the area of the traffic collision," and a man, whose name was not released, was also detained at the scene.

No additional information was immediately available.

"We do not have the details on what type of investigation this will be at this time," Pecoraro told reporters.

Highway 74 was temporarily closed in both directions from Highway 371 to the Palm Desert city limits, the CHP reported.

—City News Service