Woman Killed In Palm Desert Crash ID'd, DUI Suspect Remains Jailed

PALM DESERT, CA — A woman killed in a Friday morning Palm Desert crash was identified over the weekend as a local resident.

Sara Ahmadie, 36, of Palm Desert died at the intersection of Cook Street and Country Club Drive just after 2:30 a.m.

According to Sgt. Don Olson, Alberto Lopez, 26, of Coachella was driving a burgundy Dodge Durango eastbound on Country Club Drive at a high rate of speed before colliding into the rear of a stopped red Hyundai Elantra piloted by Ahmadie. When deputies arrived, they found the Palm Desert woman dead.

Lopez allegedly showed signs of impairment and was arrested, Olson said. A records check also indicated that he had prior convictions for driving under the influence.

Lopez was subsequently booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of murder. He remained held Tuesday on $1 million bail, according to inmate records.

The crash occurred just before 2:30 a.m. and prompted the closure of portions of Cook Street and Country Club Drive near the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa and Desert Falls Country Club.

Anyone with information about the fatal collision was asked to call Deputy Claro Sanches from the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station at 760-836-1600 or crime stoppers at 800-782-7463 (CRIME).