Fatal Traffic Collision 

May 16, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 9:19 p.m., the Riverside Sheriff’s Thermal Station deputies responded to a report of a traffic collision near the intersection of Highway 111 and Simon Drive La Quinta. When patrol deputies arrived, they located two motorcycles and a white Chevrolet pickup truck on Highway 111 west of Simon Drive. Additionally, four individuals with significant injuries were located. CalFire and AMR arrived and conducted life-saving measures, but three of the individuals were pronounced deceased by CalFire. One individual was transported to a local hospital with significant injuries.

The Thermal Sheriff’s Station’s La Quinta Traffic Collision Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed the motorcycles were traveling eastbound on Highway 111 when one of the motorcycles struck a pedestrian who was crossing Highway 111. The collision with the pedestrian caused the rider to be ejected, and the motorcycle came to rest in the westbound traffic lanes. As individuals were providing aid to the motorcycle rider, a white Chevy pickup traveling westbound on Highway 111 struck the motorcycle, which caused him to veer into the median and hit the two people providing aid to the motorcycle rider. The three subjects who were pronounced deceased as a result of the collision were the motorcycle rider, the pedestrian, and one of the good Samaritans who stopped to assist. The driver of the Chevy pickup remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. It is not believed that alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision.

The identity of the deceased parties will not be released, pending notification of the next of kin. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy K. Moore of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station’s La Quinta Traffic Team at (760) 863-8990 or call anonymously at (760) 341-STOP (7867) and reference incident #LA241350082.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Mark Chlarson

File # LA241350082

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office