Highway 74 shut down after deadly crash in Palm Desert near El Paseo Dr

Rescue crews responded to a crash on HWY 74, north of Shadow Mountain Drive, where people were trapped inside a car after it crashed and caught fire around 1:30 this afternoon. At least one person has been confirmed dead.

Highway 74 has been shut down between Shadow Mountain and Pitahaya until the scene can be cleared.

Update 1:55 p.m.: The death was to an adult male. Another patient in a second vehicle was transported to an area hospital by Riverside County Paramedics for treatment of moderate injuries.

Update 4:12 p.m.:The crash was between a blue Mercedes and a white Chevy Cobalt. The Chevy was heading south and somehow lost control of the vehicle, swerved into the northbound lanes, and collided with the Mercedes. The driver of the Chevy was killed and the other driver was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation. It is not know if alcohol or drugs played a part in the crash.

We will be updating this story as more information becomes available.