Crime & Safety
DUI Blamed in Rancho Mirage 3 Car Crash
The New Year's Day crash sent the driver of one vehicle to the hospital-- where he was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
A Cathedral City man is accused of drinking and driving-- and causing a crash in Rancho Mirage-- on New Year's Day, police report.
Johnny Joseph Garcia, 55, is accused of slamming into two vehicles that were at a stoplight on Dinah Shore at Bob Hope around 5:15 p.m. Jan. 1, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
According to a news release, Garcia hit a 2000 Ford Explorer and a 2004 Toyota Highlander while they were stopped at the light Tuesday when he "failed to stop for the other vehicles."
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"Garcia's vehicle collided into the other two vehicles causing moderate to major damage," the release stated.
Garcia was the only one injured, and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center where he was treated-- and then arrested, according to sheriff's jail records.
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"Garcia was subsequently arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol and was booked at the county jail in Indio," the press release said.
Jail records indicate Garcia posted $2,500 bail the same day and was released from police custody.
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