Driver Arrested Following Car Crash Off Hwy. 74 Cliff

PALM DESERT – A Huntington Beach man was behind bars today after allegedly leading a California Highway Patrol car on a chase that ended after he drove his car off state Route 74 north of Palm Desert and crashed 150 feet down an embankment, according to authorities.

Damian Nonte, 36, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of evading a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, obstructing an investigation and attempted murder, said CHP Officer Ramon Perez.

His passenger Holland Ashley, 36, was cited for obstructing an investigation and released, he said. Both were injured in the crash, then treated and released from a hospital.

Nonte was the driver of a pink Mazda sedan which officers allege drove through a Caltrans construction zone at a high rate of speed and endangered a worker around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Perez.

A CHP officer began pursing the vehicle and pulled Nonte over at Vista Point, which is a few miles above Palm Desert, Perez said.

Nonte is accused of taking off down the highway and driving through another construction zone at speeds over 70 mph, according to Perez.

As the car reached the bottom of the mountain, Nonte drove off the right side of the roadway and crashed about 150 feet down an embankment, he said.

The officer climbed down the embankment and gave Nonte and Ashley first aid. The suspects were not wearing their seat belts, according to Perez. Nonte suffered major injuries and was flown to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released to the custody of the CHP. Ashley suffered moderate injuries, but she was taken by ambulance to the hospital for treatment.

Nonte is being held without bail at the Indio Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.