Damaged Property and Wrong-Way Drivers in Coachella Valley DUIs
PALM DESERT – In the last few days, Indio drunk drivers have wreaked havoc and menaced others on the road in two separate collisions.
The first crash occurred on Sunday night. Officers from the Palm Desert Police Department arrived at the intersection of Portola Avenue and Quicksilver Street, responding to a single vehicle traffic collision. The vehicle at the scene was a white Hummer H3, which had been traveling southbound on Portola Avenue.
The driver had swerved right and onto the sidewalk, where he sideswiped a large tree. The vehicle then continued traveling southbound on Portola Avenue where the driver plowed through a half dozen construction cones, striking a portable construction sign as it passed. Ultimately, the Hummer became disabled at the intersection of Portola Avenue and Rancho Road.
Moises Orozco, age 54 from Indio, was identified as the driver and arrested. Orozco reportedly remained injured, but was transported to hospital as a precaution. Later he was booked into Riverside County Jail in the city of Indio for driving while under the influence.
On Monday night, another incident occurred nearby in Indian Wells. Police responded to Hovley Lane East and Casbah Way, at the Oasis Country Club and gold course, in reference to a single-vehicle traffic collision. A grey Ford Focus, which had been traveling eastbound on Hovley Lane East approaching the intersection with Casbah Way, veered to the left, over the raised median and into oncoming traffic. The driver fled the vehicle on foot, and when police arrived they found her a short distance away.
Jasmin Harper, age 25 from Indio, was identified as the driver, and though she appeared uninjured, she was transported to the hospital for observation. Harper was later booked into Riverside County Jail in the city of Indio for driving while under the influence.
