Driver Arrested After Hitting Two Teens on Bicycles in La Quinta, Leaving One in Critical Condition

A Palm Springs man is facing serious charges after allegedly hitting two teenagers riding their bikes in La Quinta and fleeing the scene.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Thermal Station responded to reports of a traffic collision at Highway 111 and Adams Street on October 10. When deputies arrived, they found two teenage boys suffering from major injuries after being struck by a vehicle. The driver did not stop and fled before law enforcement arrived.

Deputies later located the suspect’s vehicle in La Quinta and identified the driver as 47-year-old Jose Villegas Sorbe of Palm Springs. Investigators determined Sorbe was intoxicated at the time of the crash and had been involved in a previous hit-and-run earlier that same evening. Authorities also confirmed he was on probation for a prior DUI offense.

Sorbe now faces multiple charges, including felony hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter, DUI, and violation of probation.

One of the victims, 14-year-old Liam Cantu, remains in critical condition. According to his family, Liam underwent lifesaving brain surgery following the crash and continues to recover. A GiveSendGo page has been created to support Liam and his family through this difficult time.

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