Driver jailed after Sunday crash on Ramon Road
A Palm Springs man was behind bars Monday for allegedly driving under the influence and getting into a crash that left a woman with major injuries.
Obed Rojas Lopez, 23, was initially taken to Desert Regional Medical Center with minor injuries suffered in the crash that occurred around 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Ramon Road and Sunrise Way, Palm Springs police Sgt. William Hutchinson said. He was later arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Rescue crews responded to the scene after a report that a black Honda Civic was on fire and a person was trapped inside, Hutchinson said.
“A passerby had a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the fire to prevent any type of fire injury to the driver,” he said.
The Civic had been involved in a collision with a white Toyota Corolla.
The Corolla’s driver, a woman whose name was withheld, received major injuries and was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson said.
“Witnesses told officers that the black Honda Civic was seen driving recklessly and at high speeds of 60 to 70 mph just prior to the collision,” he said.
Lopez was being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $50,000 bail. He was expected to be arraigned Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to jail records.
