Multiple DUI crashes reported over weekend

With thousands of seasonal residents and tourists preparing to return to the Coachella Valley for the cooler months, our roadways are going to become much more congested with traffic. And with two suspected DUI crashes over the weekend, one deadly, it stresses the importance of being safe and responsible every time you choose to get behind the wheel.

“The holiday season brings upon a lot more drivers on the roadways who are under the influence of alcohol. We want to deter that from happening,” Palm Springs police Lt. Mike Kovaleff said.

Erwin Manolo Monterroso, a 21-year-old from Indio, was arrested early Saturday morning on suspicion of driving drunk after police said he crashed into a Toyota Prius at the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Sunrise Way, killing 58-year-old Homayon Moaven.

“One of those vehicles ran a red light. We do not know which vehicle ran the red light at this time. We’re asking anyone who witnessed it to come forward and call police,” said Kovaleff.

On Saturday afternoon, 29-year-old Jennifer Curtis of La Quinta was arrested on suspicion of DUI for causing a crash at the intersection of Portola Avenue and Silver Sands Parkway in Palm Desert. Police determined she was driving under the influence of controlled substances, according to a release.

Curtis and the other driver sustained minor injuries in the crash and a Lincoln LS was overturned on its side, blocking the intersection.

There are a number of tools available in the Coachella Valley to make sure you can get to your destination safely if you’ve been drinking too much.

“That’s why there are alternatives of the Buzz, Uber, taxi cabs, Sunline buses. All of those are alternatives, we encourage utilization of any and all of those to ensure you don’t get the behind the wheel when you shouldn’t,” said Palm Springs City Manager David Ready.

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