Hundreds of Riviera guests relocated after suspected DUI crash in Palm Springs
The general manager of the Riviera Resort and Spa in Palm Springs said Tuesday morning that all guests staying in 113 rooms are being relocated to other hotels after an early morning crash left the resort without running water.
General Manager Martin Greenwood said there is no word when water will be turned back on at this time. The hotel has given water bottles to all of their guests in light of the issue. The Desert Water Agency is on scene Tuesday morning working to restore the water supply to the Riviera.
But KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 has learned the resort will remain closed all throughout Tuesday.
Officials said repairs have been made more difficult due to heavy erosion of the sidewalk from water damage.
The Palm Springs Police Department suspects alcohol was a factor in the crash at the intersection of North Indian Canyon Drive and East Vista Chino, which occurred just after 2 a.m.
Officers said a car struck and destroyed a curbside water supply pipeline to the hotel, leaving guests with no running water.
Two people with serious injuries were inside the black Honda Civic that had stopped on Indian Canyon’s east sidewalk, just north of Vista Chino. Firefighters had to extricate both from the damaged car. They were transported to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Police said the broken water main caused significant water damage and erosion under the sidewalk.
Indian Canyon’s slow lane was closed to traffic until further notice for repairs. Police said an investigation is underway, but it is suspected alcohol was a factor in the collision.
There’s no word which hotels the Riviera guests are being moved to. KESQ and CBS Local 2 will have updates as we get more information.