Police: Drunk Driver Hits Palm Tree, Wall, Flees

A La Quinta man suspected of a hit-and-run DUI crash in Indian Wells was released from jail Friday, the morning after his arrest. 

Riverside County Sheriff's Sergeant Patrick Carroll says 44-year-old James Conway was nabbed Thursday night after a fluid trail from the scene of the accident led police to his location.

"The investigation determined a Ford Taurus was traveling eastbound on Osage Trail when the driver drove up onto the grass shoulder, struck a palm tree, and scraped a wall," the sergeant said.

When police got to the scene south of El Dorado Drive and Highway 111, no one was there.  But they were able to track evidence about two-tenths of a mile to Conway, according to Carroll.

"Officers were able to follow the trail of fluid from the vehicle to the end of Shawnee Circle where the vehicle was found parked with the driver sitting behind the wheel," Carroll said.

Conway was taken into custody and booked into the Indio jail on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run charges, according to jail records.  He posted $2,500 bail Friday morning.

"James Conway sustained minor injuries and it is believed that alcohol consumption was a factor in this collision," the sheriff's sergeant added.