Suspected drunk driver arrested after being rear-ended

A suspected drunk driver was arrested in Palm Desert Tuesday after being rear-ended and fleeing the scene.

The accident happened at the intersection of Fred Waring and Portola. According to a police report, a Jeep Wrangler was sitting at a red light when it was hit from behind by a Dodge Neon. The Jeep fled the scene after the collision.

Witnesses were able to provide a license plate number and authorities located the vehicle a short time later.

The driver of the Jeep Wrangler was found to be Manuel Hernandez Jr., age 41 of Palm Desert. Manuel Hernandez Jr was arrested for suspicion of DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and later booked into the Riverside County Jail located in the City of Banning.

According to the report from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, no injuries were sustained and it is believed that alcohol was a factor in the collision.