Prescription drugs a factor in Palm Desert crash

An Indio woman suspected of driving under theinfluence of prescription drugs when she allegedly clipped another vehicle inPalm Desert was free on bail today.

Brittany Dale Hawks, 30, was arrested on suspicion of driving under theinfluence around the time of the crash, which was reported about 4:30 p.m.Wednesday at Fred Waring Drive and Deep Canyon Road. She was driving a ToyotaCorolla west on Fred Waring and got in the left turn lane at Deep Canyon,sheriff’s Sgt. Radek Horkel said.

“When the signal light turned green for westbound traffic, the ToyotaCorolla proceeded straight instead of turning left and sideswiped anothervehicle,” Horkel said.

Hawks and the occupants of the other vehicle weren’t hurt.

Hawks was booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banningand posted a $2,500 bond today, according to jail records.