La Quinta, CA (May 16, 2024) The community of La Quinta was shocked and saddened following a collision that claimed three lives and left another with serious injuries. Indio resident, Brandt Celli, 26, Palm Desert resident, Katherine Vogts, 47, and La Quinta resident, Maria Reyes, 33, were all killed in this horrific collision. The tragic accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 111 and Simon Drive on Tuesday, May 14th, right around 9:20 p.m.
The sun had set over La Quinta as vehicles headed down Highway 111 on Tuesday, May 14th. Two motorcycles were heading east on the highway as a pedestrian began crossing the highway in the dark. The motorcyclists didn’t see the pedestrian until it was too late and one of the motorcycles hit them. The impact from hitting the pedestrian threw the motorcyclist from the motorcycle and they landed hard on the ground. The motorcycle kept moving until it fell over in the westbound lanes of the highway, near the rider. Good Samaritans hurried to the motorcyclist to try and help them, but as they did a white Chevrolet pickup was driving west on the highway and hit the motorcycle.
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Tragically, it all ended with the motorcyclist, the pedestrian and two of the good Samaritans being struck by the pickup in the westbound lanes, the Sheriff’s Department reported. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene and found four people down in the westbound lanes, a smashed and damaged motorcycle laid in pieces near them. The driver of the white pickup stopped and waited for officers to arrive. CalFire arrived with AMR and quickly ran to the four injured people in the roadway. They began administering life-saving measures to the victims, but sadly, three of them succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. The fourth victim was rushed to a nearby hospital via ambulance with critical injuries.
The westbound lanes of Highway 111 were closed for hours as detectives gathered evidence and took statements from bystanders who witnessed the accident. They do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in this traumatic collision and are continuing the investigation to determine exactly what happened that night on Highway 111.
All of us at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the families of Brandt Celli, Katherine Vogt and Maria Reyes during this difficult time of loss. We also want to extend well wishes to the good Samaritan who was injured in this accident. We know this is a difficult time for so many and our team of legal experts is here to assist you or to simply answer any questions you might have following this traumatic collision.
