Suspect Arrested in Road Rage Incident 

December 21, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 4:40 p.m., deputies assigned to the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a road rage incident near the intersection of Highway 111 and El Paseo Drive in the city of Palm Desert.

Upon arrival, deputies located a collision involving a white Toyota Tacoma and a red Chevrolet Impala. Witnesses reported a verbal argument between the two drivers just before the incident, which led to the driver of the Tacoma intentionally ramming the Impala, causing significant damage to both vehicles. The driver of the white Toyota Tacoma, later identified as 42-year-old Mitchell Wichter of Palm Desert (pictured), fled the scene before deputies arrived.

During a search of the area, deputies located Wichter near a residence within the Desert Falls Country Club. Wichter surrendered to authorities without incident and was taken into custody. While neither driver was injured in the crash, further investigation revealed that Wichter was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol at the time of the collision. Wichter was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for assault with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Creiglow at the Palm Desert Station at 760-836-1600.

Citizens may also submit a tip using the Crime Tips Online Form.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Bryan Whitley

File # T243540149

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff's Office