Three people injured in suspected Palm Springs DUI, road rage crash

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - N. Indian Canyon Drive was closed for several hours between E Racquet Club and E. Via Escuela after a suspected DUI and road rage crash, which left three people injured on Tuesday afternoon in Palm Springs.

The four-vehicle crash was reported at around 5:20 p.m. on Indian Canyon Drive, just north of Via Escuela.

Police confirmed three people were transported to a local hospital with injuries; one of those patients was reported to be in critical condition.

"Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears one vehicle made a lane change, sideswiping another vehicle. That collision caused the second vehicle to cross into opposing traffic, where it collided head-on with a third vehicle. A fourth vehicle was also involved in the incident," PSPD Captain Gustavo Araiza wrote in an email to News Channel 3.

Araiza added that the driver who caused the crash, a 30-year-old man from Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

PSPD added on Wednesday that investigators determined the crash was not the result of a routine traffic violation, but rather a road rage encounter. After the initial collision, police believe the DUI suspect intentionally turned his vehicle toward the victim’s vehicle, causing the collision.

The suspect now faces an additional charge of Assault with a deadly weapon (vehicle).

N. Indian Canyon Drive was reopened just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.