Person killed after going over post

Sep 02, 2023

A person died early Wednesday when they crashed after driving over a barrier that had been set up near Desert Hot Springs to keep cars out of an area that washed out during Hurricane Hilary, the California Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened about 5:30 a.m. on Little Morongo Road just south of 15th Avenue, CHP Crash Investigation Officer Bradley Kemp said. Little Morongo Road between Two Bunch Palms Trail and Dillon Road is one of several stretches of road in Desert Hot Springs that remain closed following flooding from the storm.

Kemp said officers believe after their preliminary investigation that the driver went around barricades at the intersection of Little Morongo Road and Two Bunch Palms and continued south. The driver then drove over the dirt berm and then crashed on the other side, at which point the car appears to have caught fire.

Kemp said it was his understanding that the embankment had not occurred naturally because of the flooding, but rather was put in place as a deterrent to keep people away from where the road washed out. He said he did not yet know whether flooding directly caused the crash.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Kemp said it is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor.

Early Wednesday afternoon, the city of Desert Hot Springs warned in a Facebook post that people who go around barriers "will be subject to legal consequences" and that city police and other law enforcement agencies will "ensure strict enforcement."

It said city workers have had to rescue multiple people who disregarded road closures — and had to use heavy machinery in some cases.

"While we deeply appreciate the community's resilience, we cannot compromise on safety," the Facebook post said. "Compliance with these measures is of the utmost importance to ensure the well-being of all."