The Palm Springs Police Department is investigating the cause of a vehicle fire that killed an unidentified man March 24 and looking to see whether drugs, alcohol or a medical emergency contributed to the accident.
According to a Facebook news release from the department, investigators determined that the vehicle was traveling northbound on state Highway 111 at a high rate of speed when it veered off the road just east of outbound Highway 111 and south of Gateway Drive. The vehicle slammed into a block wall and became engulfed in flames, the release said.
Police officers responded to join the Palm Springs Fire Department at the scene shortly after 3 a.m. March 24 and discovered the vehicle off the roadway and on a grass embankment, according to the release.
"A single occupant was found in the driver's seat," the report said. "The fire was extinguished, and the driver was deceased."
Preliminary investigations through the department's traffic team could not identify the driver, the release said, adding that he appeared to be a male. The initial findings also could not pinpoint the reason that the driver veered off the road while traveling northbound on Highway 111, but noted the high speed at which at the vehicle struck the block wall.
According to the police department, the fatal crash led to a partial outbound road closure, which was managed with the help of city street crews and members of PSPD Citizens on Patrol. Shortly after 9 a.m., the road was reopened.
As the investigation continues into the cause of the crash, the department is seeking witnesses or anyone with additional information regarding the accident. This information can be forwarded to PSPD Traffic Division at 760-323-8125, or for those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 760-347-7867.