The Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) has identified the driver in a recent hit-and-run accident that left a skateboarder hospitalized with major injuries to his arm and leg, a news release said.
Initially, PSPD sought the community's assistance in identifying the driver of a white four-door Ford Fusion that left the scene of the accident just before 8:30 a.m. on El Cielo Road, a Jan. 5 PSPD Facebook post said. Hours later, the motorist had been located and was giving a statement to police.
A 26-year-old man on a skateboard was traveling northbound against traffic in the area of El Cielo Road in front of the Palm Springs Access Center when he was struck by a driver who failed to stop, police said. The skateboarder was transported to a local hospital.
In the initial release, police said the skateboarder was also on his cellphone when the driver of a 2011-12 Ford Fusion hit the man and then continued to travel southbound. The driver was last seen turning westbound on East Baristo Road.
The Ford Fusion, which also had chrome rims and tinted rear windows, sustained damage to the passenger-side headlight and front fender in addition to losing a mirror.
In its update, PSPD expressed appreciation to the community for their support during the search for the driver.
It is not known from the updates what charges, if any, the driver may face as a result of the incident. Also unspecified was the condition of the skateboarder and whether he had been released from the hospital.
Police have asked any witnesses of the accident to contact the PSPD Traffic Division at 760-323-8125 or offer anonymous information to Crime Stoppers at 760-347-7867.