Crash Deaths Plague Coachella Valley Over Holidays

PALM DESERT, CA — Multiple fatal crashes plagued the Coachella Valley this holiday season.

Over the weekend, the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau announced the identities of some of the victims.

A bicyclist who was struck by a vehicle last week in Palm Desert and who later died at a local hospital has been identified.

Patrick Petre, 72, of Palm Desert was struck at about 6:37 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, on Fred Waring Drive, about 450 feet east of San Pablo Avenue, the coroner reported.

Petre was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he died the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 3, according to the coroner.

In a separate incident, a Palm Desert man died from injuries he sustained after crashing a golf cart into a moving car in the Monterey Country Club gated community, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Timothy Lillard, 78, was crossing Avenida Del Sol in a golf cart at around noon on Saturday, Dec. 29, when he crashed.

The cart then rolled onto its side, injuring Lillard. He died at Desert Regional Medical Center on Thursday, Jan. 2, according to the coroner.

This accident came one day after a fatal car and bicycle accident in Rancho Mirage. It happened on Highway 111 and Frank Sinatra Drive.

Around 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, deputies were alerted to the crash involving an SUV at the intersection of East Palm Canyon Drive (SR-111) and Frank Sinatra Drive near Rancho Mirage City Hall, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Upon arrival, deputies found the cyclist unresponsive. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The department stated that the SUV driver remained at the location and cooperated with the investigation. Authorities do not believe the incident was the result of a DUI.

The identity of the deceased was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.