Deadly crash in Indio caused by medical emergency

A 65-year-old man was killed in a two-car crash early Friday morning on Jefferson Street after he apparently suffered a medical emergency at the wheel.

The crash happened at 6:10 a.m., just south of Miles Avenue.

According to the Indio Police Department, the man who died was driving a brown GMC pickup truck northbound on Jefferson Street when he suffered the medical emergency. His female passenger tried to grab the wheel to take control of the truck, but the GMC ended up crossing over the center median and struck a black Chevrolet pickup truck that was traveling southbound on Jefferson Street.

The 65-year-old man died at the scene and his female passenger sustained moderate injuries, according to police. The man’s identity won’t be released until the Riverside County Coroner’s Office notifies his family.

The 42-year-old man driving the Chevrolet was airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center with major injuries.

The crash created traffic congestion south of Miles Avenue throughout the morning. It’s still under investigation. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call the Indio Police Department at 760-391-4057.