Authorities ID Man Who Died in Bob Hope Drive Crash

The Riverside County Coroner's Office today identified a 52-year-old suspected drunken motorist who was killed when his sport utility vehicle struck a high voltage power pole.

James Douglas York was driving his 2000 Lexus sport utility vehicle northbound on Bob Hope Drive about 9 a.m. Saturday when he allowed it to veer to the right and strike the power pole, overturning several times, according to a department statement.

The vehicle came to a rest on the raised center median and became engulfed in flames. York was pulled from the vehicle by passersby. Paramedics rushed him to an area hospital, where he died at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the statement.

Palm Desert police asked anyone who saw the crash to call them at 760-836-1600.

—City News Service