Police: Drunk Man Crashes BMW in Palm Desert, Tries to Walk Away Unnoticed

A Palm Springs man was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of DUI after he crashed his BMW in Palm Desert and open alcohol containers were found inside, police said Friday.

41-year-old Tony Desaint was arrested near the scene of the crash at Frank Sinatra Drive and Gerald Ford Drive, according to Sheriff's Sergeant Ken Black.

According to the sergeant, the crash happened around 8 p.m. Thursday when the man was driving northbound on nearby Tamarisk Row "when he failed to properly negotiate the curve at westbound Frank Sinatra."

"The vehicle went over the north curb of Frank Sinatra and drove over three directional arrow signs," he said.  "Desaint attempted to drive away from the scene but his BMW became disabled a half mile away due to the extent of vehicle damage."

Black said the crash caused major damage to the vehicle and the road signs, but no one was hurt.

The driver— later identified as Desaint— wasn't immediately spotted, until someone noticed him trying to walk away from the scene, according to Black.

"A witness at the scene pointed out the driver, who was attempting to walk away from the location unnoticed," Black said.

Police arrested the man and booked him on suspicion of DUI into the Indio jail. 

"Open alcoholic containers were found inside the car and Desaint was determined to be under the influence of alcohol," the sergeant added.

Desaint was released Friday on $2,500 bail, jail records indicated.