84-Year-Old Pedestrian's Crash Death Linked To Possible Intoxication

THERMAL, CA — An 84-year-old man was struck and killed when he walked in front of a sedan on a Thermal road, possibly while intoxicated, authorities said Wednesday.

The fatality occurred at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday on Avenue 70, just west of Pierce Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer David Torres said the victim, identified only as a Thermal resident, was walking on the north shoulder of the road when he "stepped into a traffic lane."

Torres said a 22-year-old man at the wheel of a 2022 Toyota Camry was headed eastbound on Avenue 70 and suddenly encountered the victim in his path, leaving him no time to stop or swerve.

The Toyota impacted the senior at an undetermined speed. The motorist, who wasn't hurt, immediately stopped and called 911.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location a short time later and pronounced the pedestrian dead at the scene.

"Alcohol does appear to be a factor in this, on the side of the 84-year-old man," Torres said.

He said the motorist was questioned and found not to be under the influence. The man was not arrested.

An autopsy was pending Wednesday on the victim to confirm whether he may have been inebriated.

Anyone with information about the death was asked to contact the CHP's Indio office at 760-772-5300.