Palm Springs Police Looking For Witnesses To Deadly Crash

Palm Springs police are asking for help finding video of a high-speed chase that ended in the death of Cathedral City officer Jermaine Gibson.

Gibson, 29, a former Marine, tried to pull over a car around 11:30 p.m. on Date Palm Drive, just north of Interstate 10.

When the driver of the vehicle refused to stop, the officer chased the suspect.

It ended when Gibson lost control of the police cruiser and crashed into a palm tree, bursting into flames on the 1000 block of South Palm Canyon Drive, just north of Mesquite. He died at the scene.

The suspect’s car continued to drive north on South Palm Canyon, where it, too, crashed into a palm tree on the 600 block. One person was thrown from the car during that crash, while the other was trapped inside the car when it burst into flames.

Palm Springs police spokeswoman Rhonda Long said the two people inside the suspect car were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center with major injuries.

According to Long, officers have yet to formally arrest them and release their identities.

The department is asking businesses near the crash and possible witnesses to come forward with any video that might help their investigation.

“Perhaps what may have occurred before the traffic collision. What may have occurred when the pursuit began. Any kind of driving actions or any occupant or suspect information,” said Long.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating, specifically looking into what caused the car to go out of control.

According to Cathedral City police, Gibson’s funeral is set for Friday. The department will release more details later this week.

A memorial fund has been established to assist his family through the Cathedral City Police Officers Association. All inquiries and donations should be directed to CCPOA President Albert Holloway at (951) 906-4552 or cathedralcitypoa@gmail.com.