Highway 74 safety push continues after Thanksgiving enforcement surge

During the Thanksgiving holiday, drivers along Highway 74 saw an increase in California Highway Patrol enforcement. Now, local leaders want that added safety presence to continue into the new year.

The safety push stems from a devastating crash last year that claimed the life of 27-year-old Tristan Bourgeois. He was driving to work on Highway 74 when a semi-truck hauling sand struck his vehicle head-on, killing the father of two. His mother, Danielle Ellington, says stronger enforcement could have prevented the tragedy. She later learned through a CHP report that the truck involved should have been taken out of service due to multiple safety issues.

With the additional patrols over the holiday, CHP cited 64 violations in just a few days. Officers conducted 11 commercial vehicle safety inspections, placing two vehicles and a driver out of service.

Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez says the extended enforcement period will remain in place through January 1. He says the effort will help officials better understand what changes may be needed on the steep, winding roadway used by trucks, cyclists, runners, and daily commuters.

Assemblymember Greg Wallis and Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez are also pushing for safety improvements. Both lawmakers have introduced Assembly Bill 1145, known as Tristan’s Bill, aimed at reducing commercial vehicle dangers on Highway 74. Ellington hopes the effort will spare other families the pain hers continues to endure.

Local leaders plan to hold future community meetings to discuss ongoing concerns and additional solutions to improve safety on Highway 74.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.