A Cathedral City man was arrested early Tuesday in Palm Desert on suspicion of driving under the influence in connection with a vehicle fire that burned his passenger, a sheriff's sergeant said.
Deputies responded shortly after 1 a.m. Oct. 15 to a report of a vehicle fire at Portola Avenue and Gerald Ford Drive, Sgt. Dave Smith of the Palm Desert station said.
"Upon arrival deputies found a vehicle on fire blocking the number two lane of Gerald Ford," Smith said.
Deputies contacted a man identified as Michael John Moore, 34, of Cathedral City, who was determined to be behind the wheel of the vehicle when it caught fire, Smith said.
"During the investigation deputies arrested Moore for driving under the influence of alcohol," Smith said. "Moore's passenger sustained burns during the incident and was transported to a regional medical center for treatment."
Moore was booked at the county jail in Indio, where he posted $5,000 bail and was released, according to inmate records. Moore has a court date in Indio in December.
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