Elderly woman hit by van in Desert Hot Springs

An elderly woman was hit by a Dodge Caravan Tuesday afternoon while crossing a busy street in Desert Hot Springs. Emergency crews rushed the woman to the hospital in critical condition.

According to officials, the woman was was hit near the intersection of Palm Drive and Cahuilla Avenue around 12:20 p.m. Southbound Palm Drive was closed to traffic at Cahuilla Avenue while emergency crews were on scene. Northbound lanes of Palm Drive remained open.

Police said the driver of the van was an elderly man. He was interviewed at the scene and was released. Officers don’t suspect the driver or pedestrian were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.

Our crew on scene spoke to witnesses to learn more details about the incident. One man said he offered to help the woman cross the street but she said not to worry about it. Then, when he turned his back to her he heard the crash.

He said she was on her way back from the market to get cigarettes.

Another man said he witnessed the collision from the corner of his eye and saw the woman flying across the street in the air.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will keep you updated on the status of the woman’s condition.