Fatal Traffic Collision Reported in Cathedral City

Alcohol suspected in fatal traffic collision

CATHEDRAL CITY — A 78-year-old man is dead following a crash on Sunday, May 14 at 6:07 a.m., according to Cathedral City Police. The Fatal Traffic Collision occurred in the 67300 block of Mission Drive.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family.

Heber Alexander Henriquez, 34, of Cathedral City was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center.

It began Sunday morning when Cathedral City Fire responded to a call of a male on the ground with head injuries. When Cathedral City Fire arrived, the male was in full arrest, and Paramedics noticed injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle. Cathedral City Police responded and, upon arriving, found evidence of a hit-and-run traffic crash. Paramedics could not revive the male, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Based on evidence located at the scene, it appears the pedestrian was walking on the sidewalk when a vehicle went onto the sidewalk and crashed into the pedestrian and fled the area, according to Patrol Division Sgt. Jeffrey Barnett.

Officers were able to identify the type of vehicle and, upon conducting an area search, located the suspect vehicle and suspected driver,

At this time, alcohol does appear to be a factor in this traffic crash, according to authorities.