Author: KESQ

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 54-year-old man who killed three people in a multi-vehicle wreck in Palm Springs because he was driving while intoxicated in a sandstorm was sentenced today to 11 years, eight months in state prison.   

Shawn Michael Kirkpatrick last month admitted three counts of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter, as well as DUI resulting in great bodily injury and a sentence-enhancing allegation of causing injury or death to multiple victims in a crash, under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.  

In exchange for Kirkpatrick’s admissions, prosecutors dropped a related charge and sentence-enhancements.   

During a hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Friday, Superior Court Judge Dean Benjamini imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.

On the afternoon of Sept. 3, 2023, Kirkpatrick fatally injured 32-year-old Yovani Aguilera Tapia, along with David Losacco and Millicent Lewis, both 29.   

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, the drunken defendant was at the wheel of a vehicle going northbound on North Gene Autry Trail, just south of Interstate 10, when a dust storm stirred in the dry wash, lowering visibility along the four-lane corridor, which is not uncommon on windy days.  

Investigators said the victims, occupying one of two vehicles directly ahead of Kirkpatrick’s, slowed down as a precaution.   

The police department said in a statement the defendant “failed to decelerate, resulting in a rear-end collision that led to a subsequent impact” with the two cars.   

Lewis, Losacco and Tapia were in the vehicle that Kirkpatrick slammed into, which caused their car to rear-end the other one, police said.   

Paramedics reached the location a short time later and pronounced the victims dead at the scene. The occupant of the other vehicle, whose identity was not released, suffered moderate injuries, from which the party has since recovered. Kirkpatrick also suffered minor injuries.

The ensuing investigation led to the criminal charges and his arrest on Nov. 16, 2023.

He had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Click here to follow the original article.

María García

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — One restaurant in downtown Palm Springs says they had over $500 dollars stolen this past weekend. This comes during the rise of food prices for restaurant owners and trying to recover after the pandemic.

Increasing costs for necessities like labor and food leave many independent restaurants, like Wilma and Frieda’s struggling to make ends meet. Food prices are up 28% since 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“We’ve had the pandemic for a few years. Restaurants are trying to recover and get back and running,” said Kelly McFall, owner of Wilma and Frieda.

Mcfall believes these dine-and-dashes are caused by Coachella festival-goers and warns other restaurants to stay cautious. “We knew they were Coachella people because of the wristband, it’s frustrating because prices have gone up so much. We’ve had the pandemic for two years. Restaurants are trying to recover and get back online,” said McFall.

For other restaurants in the area, like JimmyB’s, the restaurant owner Jimmy Bellino has experienced dining and dashing in the past.

“We watch it pretty closely, but dining and dashing is a common thing for those professionals out there and we get them, we really try hard, but it’s happened more frequently with Coachella,” said Bellino.

Owner Kelly McFall hopes people will understand the struggles restaurants face and that they won’t face the same problem this weekend. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

SNOW CREEK, Calif. (KESQ) – A hiker was airlifted from a trail in the unincorporated area of Snow Creek Friday afternoon.

The hiker sustained a medical emergency on the trail., which is located west of Palm Springs.

“The patient has been hoisted via helicopter to an awaiting ground ambulance for transport to a local area hospital,” reads a post by CAL FIRE.

CAL FIRE noted that the hiker suffered minor injuries.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies are seeking the public’s help after several vehicles were broken into and burglarized throughout Palm Desert Thursday morning.

The report first came in at around 6:45 a.m.

“… deputies assigned to the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to reports of vehicles being damaged and broken into throughout several neighborhoods within the city of Palm Desert,” reads a news release by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. “Upon arrival, deputies discovered vehicles with damaged windows and some with property missing from within.”

Deputies are actively investigating the crimes and request the public’s assistance with any information.

If you have seen any suspicious activity or have security footage that may help with this investigation, please contact Deputy Lyon at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836-1600.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to maintaining public safety and holding criminals accountable. We encourage everyone to stay alert and work together to protect our neighborhoods. Thank you for your cooperation and continued efforts to keep our community safe,” RSO wrote.

RSO shared community safety tips. Residents can receive free safety consultations and crime prevention tips by contacting Community Services Officer Stacey Austin at 760-836-1600.

Always lock your doors

Close all windows and sunroofs

Do not leave valuables in your car

Park in well-lit areas

Install security cameras

Report suspicious behavior

Use car alarms or anti-theft devices

Stay informed – Sign up for local alerts or follow updates from law enforcement

You can view the original article here: https://kesq.com/news/crime/2025/04/18/deputies-ask-for-communitys-help-after-vehicle-burglary-and-vandalism-spree-in-palm-desert/

Deputies ask for community’s help after vehicle burglary and vandalism spree in Palm Desert

Kendall Flynn

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif (KESQ) – The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is setting the standard for mental health and substance use treatment with an expanded model of care.

The foundation reported it’s seen an increased number of patients enter Hazelden Betty Ford clinics for substance use treatment with multiple health conditions. They report 79% of patients have more than one treatable mental health condition, with on average 3.67 different diagnoses.

Organizers say they have the “gold standard of care” for mental health and substance use disorders for patients to receive care in one place.

The next-generation model includes:

Evidence-based and standardized curriculum

Combined therapies, including multiple treatments in community and skill-building based on each patients needs

Multi-disciplinary teams

psychiatrists, nurses, mental health and addiction counselors, technicians, family specialists, recovery support experts and more

The industry’s only publishing house, research center and graduate school

Philanthropy-funded services free-of-charge for families and children affected by a loved one’s substance use disorder

Emphasis on support for lifelong recovery

Improved access to acre through innovative tools like Wayfinder

An evidence-based screening and brief intervention tool

Connection Point

A virtual coaching service to help people determine next steps and the right type of care

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage on the importance of this care in the Valley.

You can view the original article here: https://kesq.com/news/2025/04/18/hazelden-betty-ford-foundation-announces-next-generation-model-of-care-quality/

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation announces next-generation model of care, quality

Garrett Hottle

Update – 12:25 p.m.

All lanes are back open, CHP confirmed

All lanes now open. https://t.co/VatKgrAiJE

— CHP Indio (@chpindio) April 18, 2025

Update – 11:55 a.m.

The #2 lane has opened, CHP announced before Noon.

Westbound traffic remains heavily backed up to Jackson Street.

Original Report – 4:45 a.m.

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A big rig overturned Friday morning on westbound Interstate 10, backing up traffic and sending the driver to the hospital with moderate injuries.

The crash happened near Cook Street, and News Channel 3 is told the driver was transported to a nearby hospital.

Two westbound lanes will remain closed for at least two hours while crews work to clear the wreckage and assess any damage to the roadway.

Drivers should expect some delays for their morning commute.

This is a developing story.

Check back with News Channel 3 for updates.

Recovery in progress, will update once complete.

Thank you for your patience. https://t.co/jmnG3JkTAd pic.twitter.com/idLTfEgEtg

— CHP Indio (@chpindio) April 18, 2025

You can view the original article here: https://kesq.com/news/2025/04/18/all-lanes-open-after-big-rig-overturns-on-i-10-slowing-down-westbound-traffic-for-hours/

All lanes open after big rig overturns on I-10, slowing down westbound traffic for hours

Cynthia White

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Hot Springs Police say they arrested a man following reports of a suspicious person wearing a ski mask and carrying a handgun.

Officers located the man hiding by the dumpsters near a local hotel early Thursday morning.

Police report the suspect was still wearing the ski mask and was initially uncooperative, but they were soon able to detain him and discovered he was in possession of a handgun.

He was also confirmed to be a convicted felon currently on parole for assault with a deadly weapon.

The man was arrested on multiple charges. 

You can view the original article here: https://kesq.com/news/2025/04/17/suspicious-person-wearing-a-ski-mask-and-carrying-a-gun-arrested-in-desert-hot-springs/

Suspicious person wearing a ski mask and carrying a gun arrested in Desert Hot Springs

Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A much less frustrating beginning for thousands of campers.

You may remember last week’s scenes, with some people waiting for hours and hours, trying to get into the camping areas.

As a result, organizers addressing staffing shortages and adding 12 new toll plazas to keep traffic off the roads. Gates to the campground were also opened earlier than scheduled.

Festival-goers say they’re seeing those improvements.

“When planning this trip we knew that weekend 2 would be better because they fix all the issues from weekend one. So weekend one, all the traffic, the mess, people in line for 10 hours.” 

Abraham Flores, festival-goer

“I actually did not concerns because a lot of people like to go to weekend one including influencers. Weekend two is more of like a chill weekend so I don’t think it’ll that much packed.”

Angelina Dieu, festival-goer

Indio PD releasing a statement Thursday reading:

The traffic conditions for today’s campers arriving early went smoothly with no major issues. There are no significant issues to report from the traffic this morning. The allied agencies’ traffic teams and concert staff did an excellent job of keeping the traffic moving.

Officials are reminding surrounding residents to use alternate routes to avoid any possible traffic delays.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

You can view the original article here: https://kesq.com/news/2025/04/17/festival-goers-seeing-traffic-improvements-for-coachella-festival-weekend-2/

Festival-goers seeing traffic improvements for Coachella Festival Weekend 2