Former Shadow Hills football player killed in hit-and-run crash in Desert Hot Springs

The California Highway Patrol said that one man was killed early Saturday morning on Palm Drive, north of Varner Road, in Desert Hot Springs.

Officials said that just after midnight, a woman stopped a sedan near the right shoulder of Varner Road. They said that a man, who was a passenger in the car, got out and walked around to the driver's side.

Officers said that was when he was hit by a Nissan pickup truck, which sped off. The man, identified as Isaiah Ortega-Dage, 23, of Indio was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the pickup was later found and arrested for possible DUI.

Shadow Hills High School, which Ortega-Dage attended and played football at, issued a press release paying tribute to him.

The school said, "Isaiah’s years at Shadow Hills were the years that the foundation of our football program was being laid."

The statement also said the school mourns with the victim's family during these trying times, and it plans "to honor his legacy" throughout its football season.

New Story: Honoring Isaiah Ortega-Dage https://t.co/PMJD1oqqHJ

— Shadow Hills High School Athletics (@AthleticsSHHS) September 11, 2021

Meanwhile, officers said that the crash remains under investigation.

A GoFundMe page to support Ortega-Dage's family. Click here to visit that page

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this investigation.