Fatal Traffic Collision 

January 17, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on January 16, 2026, at 10:20 a.m., deputies assigned to Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to the area of Fred Waring Drive and Cook Street, Palm Desert, regarding a single-vehicle traffic collision. Upon arrival, deputies located a vehicle with major collision damage. The driver, and sole occupant, sustained significant injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station Traffic Reconstruction Team responded and assumed the investigation. The decedent’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification. The cause of the collision is still under investigation, and it is unknown if alcohol and or drugs were a factor in the collision. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Anthony Leyva of the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 836-1600 or call anonymously at (760) 341-STOP (7867).

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Emil Stan

File # T260160026

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office