Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Man Charged with DUI in Crash that Killed Three during Sandstorm in Palm Springs

A 52-year-old man has been accused of driving under the influence and causing a fatal crash that claimed the lives of three individuals on Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs. The tragic incident occurred during a sandstorm, which had led to reduced visibility and motorists slowing down to ensure their safety.

Shawn Michael Kirkpatrick, the accused, was apprehended last week by the Palm Springs police on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The authorities announced the arrest on Tuesday, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring justice is served in this case.

Kirkpatrick is currently held without bail at the county jail in Indio, as per jail records. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office granted approval for the charges in October, reflecting the severity of the incident.

The tragic crash took place a little over two months ago on September 3rd, shortly before 3 p.m., on Gene Autry Trail between Salvia Road and Via Escuela. According to the Palm Springs police, two drivers traveling northbound had slowed down due to the sandstorm’s low visibility. However, Kirkpatrick, the third driver, failed to reduce his speed and subsequently rear-ended one of the vehicles, triggering a collision with the other.

Tragically, the driver and two back seat passengers in the first car that was struck lost their lives in the collision. The coroner identified the driver as Millicent Lewis, a 29-year-old individual. The passengers were identified as Yovani Aguilera Tapia, 32, and David Losacco, 29. All three victims hailed from Escondido.

Tim Losacco, the father of David Losacco, shared his grief with 10News San Diego, revealing that his son and Tapia were a couple who had traveled to Palm Springs with friends to enjoy a getaway at an RV resort. He expressed his sorrow over losing his son and his son’s partner, further mentioning that Lewis was a close friend of theirs. The three friends were traveling in the middle car involved in the three-car collision.

This news story is currently unfolding, and further updates will be provided as new information emerges.

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