Elderly couple identified after deadly crash in Joshua Tree

An elderly man and woman have both died from injuries sustained in a suspected DUI crash involving a 21-year-old woman from 29 Palms. The Riverside County Coroner’s office identified the victims as 80-year-old Lonnie Tiner and 76-year-old Patricia Tiner, also from 29 Palms.

The Tiner’s were both hospitalized with major injuries Sunday night after the DUI suspect crashed into their truck on Highway 62 in Joshua Tree at about 9:10 p.m.

Officers said 21-year-old Mariah Natividad crashed her Toyota Prius into the back of the Tiner’s Ford F150 while driving eastbound at a high rate of speed, just east of Juniper Road.

The truck veered off the road and ended up overturning several times in the open desert by Saddleback Road.

The Tiner’s were both taken to Desert Regional Medical Center but later died from major injuries.

Officers said Natividad sustained minor injuries in the crash. She was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will provide more information as the investigation continues.