Traffic collision induces labor, suspect on the run
Three people, including an 8-year-old boy and an 8-months-pregnant woman, were hospitalized after a hit-and-run traffic accident in Indio Saturday night.
According to the Indio Police Department, around 7:40 p.m. a white Jeep was traveling southbound on Monroe Street, north of Oleander Drive, when a 1999 black Ford Expedition made a left turn in front of the Jeep. The jeep was occupied by a male driver, 8 month pregnant female and an 8 year old child.
Three people inside of the Jeep were transported to local hospitals, two of the occupants with moderate-to-major injuries. An 8-year-old child traveling inside of the Jeep was airlifted to a regional hospital outside of the Coachella Valley based on his injuries. The Indio Police Department said they did not have an updated status on the child’s medical condition as of 6 p.m. Sunday. A pregnant female driven by ambulance to a local hospital.
The Indio PD said female began to go into labor while at the hospital and delivered her baby a short time later. Both the mother and newborn were in stable condition. The driver of the Jeep was transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
Police said the driver and sole occupant of the Ford Expedition fled the scene on foot. Authorities immediately conducted a thorough search of the area, both from the ground and the air, however, officers were unable to locate the suspect.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male adult that was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jean pants. The Indio Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying the driver of the Ford Expedition. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Indio Police Department or to remain anonymous, please contact the Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867).
