Man Dies After High-Speed Crash Sends Vehicle Airborne Near The Palm Springs Airport

A man died early Thursday morning after losing control of his vehicle at high speed near the Palm Springs International Airport, crashing through a grassy area and landing on top of a parked car in Parking Lot B.

Palm Springs Police say the crash happened around 2:18 a.m., when officers responded to reports of a rollover collision in front of the airport. The driver was traveling eastbound on East Tahquitz Canyon Way at a high rate of speed when, approaching the intersection of El Cielo Road, the vehicle left the road, cut through the grass south of the fountain, and became airborne, passing between two palm trees before landing on a parked vehicle.

The driver, the sole occupant of the car, was ejected and suffered critical injuries. Officers and emergency personnel performed life-saving measures at the scene before he was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:03 a.m. His identity is being withheld until his family can be notified.

No other injuries were reported, and airport operations were not disrupted. Investigators are still working to determine whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Steve Sanders of the Palm Springs Police Department Traffic Unit at 760-323-8125, or Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867).