Elderly driver accused of ramming gates of Palm Springs property, fleeing

A senior citizen allegedly rammed his car into the locked gates of a Palm Springs parking lot today and then sped away from arriving officers, who quickly caught up to the driver and referred him for a mental health evaluation, according to police.

Officers were called to “a commercial property on Bird Center Drive” early Friday afternoon, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

The man, whose name and age were withheld, was seen “driving a maroon vehicle ramming the gates to a secure parking lot,” according to police, who said the driver “appeared to be suffering from a medical condition.”

The motorist fled from officers who attempted to stop him, but was detained a short time later.

Palm Springs police said the man was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation and that the ensuing chase and apprehension did not result in any road closures in the city.