Police Arrest Two Suspects for DUI in Christmas Eve Accidents
Jon Herredia
INDIAN WELLS – Two different accidents occurring on Christmas Eve within minutes of each other resulted in the arrest of two drivers, who were believed to be intoxicated during the incidents.
On Thursday, December 24, 2015, about 8:45 PM, officers from the Indian Wells Police Department responded to a report of a traffic collision near the intersection of Manitou Drive and Highway 111 in the city of Indian Wells.
James Haggerty
According to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, a white Cadillac traveling south on Manitou Dr. collided with the traffic control device at the entrance to the Indian Wells Country Club. The driver spoke to a security officer before leaving the scene, but gave very little information. The security officer suspected the driver was under the influence and contacted the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies located Jon Heredia, age 52 of Rancho Mirage, near the intersection of Bob Hope Dr. and Country Club Dr. in Rancho Mirage, still operating his vehicle. Heredia was taken to a local area hospital as a medical precaution to ensure he was not injured.
It was determined during the investigation Jon Heredia was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for DUI and booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio.
A few minutes later around 9:12 PM, officers from the Indian Wells Police Department received another report of a possible drunk driver in the area of Highway 111 east of Cook Street.
A witness stated that a white SUV struck the curb and blew out a tire. At the scene, officers found a white Ford C-Max had been traveling east on Highway 111 when it collided into the south curb of the roadway, shattering the front axle assembly. The driver was uninjured and the incapacitated vehicle was towed from the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, 58-year-old James Peter Haggerty of Palm Springs, was contacted and arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Haggerty was booked into the Riverside County jail in Indio after being medically cleared at a local hospital.
