Cherry Valley man killed in crash along Highway 111 in Palm Springs, incident classified as ‘non-criminal’

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Palm Springs Police shared new information Monday on a deadly crash over the weekend along Highway 111 that was initially believed to be a hit-and-run incident.

The incident started Sunday just after 10:30 a.m. when a bicyclist found a body off the side of the roadway on Highway 111, between Tipton Road and Snowcreek Canyon Road, southeast of Whitewater.

Investigators initially determined that the victim was likely struck by a car, which had left the scene before authorities arrived. Monday afternoon, police told News Channel 3 that they were able to locate driver in the crash, who had actually reported it on Saturday just before 3:30 a.m.

Police said the driver reported hitting an object in the roadway. The vehicle’s onboard OnStar system detected the collision and initiated a 911 call. California Highway Patrol, Palm Springs Police Department, and Palm Springs Fire Department responded and conducted an extensive search of the area; however, they were unable to locate what had been struck due to darkness and the location of the impact.

The driver sustained an injury and was transported to the local hospital for treatment. The driver was cooperative with investigators and was not under the influence, police added.

Further investigation determined the collision occurred more than a half mile south of where the vehicle ultimately came to rest, a distance that was unknown to responding personnel during the initial nighttime search.

After reviewing the evidence and interviewing the driver, investigators determined the driver did not leave the roadway. The incident has been classified as non-criminal.

The coroner's office released a partial ID on the person killed in the crash, a male from Cherry Valley.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates.