Author: KESQ

Garrett Hottle

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) New details are emerging after a paraglider was seriously injured when crashing into power lines Monday afternoon in Mecca.

According to officials, crews responded around 5 p.m. to reports of a paraglider down near Johnson Street and Highway 111.

Images shared by Riverside County Fire Department show what appears to be a paraglider and cables at the scene. Fire officials later confirmed the aircraft involved was a paraglider, not a parachute, after initial reports.

Officials say there was only one person on board. That pilot suffered major injuries and was airlifted by helicopter to a local hospital for treatment.

Fire officials say once the patient was transferred to hospital care, they no longer received updates on the person’s condition.

Authorities have not said what caused the crash or how long the paraglider may have been entangled in the power lines. The incident remains under investigation.

News Channel 3 has reached out to family friends regarding the condition of the injured pilot, and will update you with any additional information as it becomes available.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this developing story.

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Julia Castro

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) — A crash involving a semi-truck in Whitewater early Tuesday prompted a hazardous materials response and caused traffic delays for drivers heading into the Coachella Valley, authorities said.

The crash was reported shortly after 1 a.m. and involved a semi-truck that leaked fuel onto the roadway. Emergency crews shut down multiple lanes while hazmat teams worked to contain and clean up the spill.

A preliminary investigation revealed a tractor-trailer collided with another tractor-trailer parked on the right shoulder of I-10 in front of the Whitewater Rest Area, which caused one of the semi trucks to rupture its “right side saddle tank, causing a release of fuel and engine oil onto the right shoulder of Interstate 10 eastbound,” the agency said.

A second crash occurred a short time later involving three other vehicles after they attempted to avoid the initial crash. In total, four semi trucks and a 2023 white Subaru were involved in the two collisions, authorities said.

A 46-year-old man from Bell and a 60-year-old man from Long Beach were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs for complaints of pain. No other injuries were reported.

The No. 3 and 4 lanes were temporarily closed for clean-up, but re-opened by 10 a.m. Caltrans and the Department of Environmental Health were requested to assist at the scene.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – More artists continue to get added to the lineup for the 2026 Coachella Music and Arts Festival.

On Monday, Goldenvoice released the lineup for the Heineken House, a stage on the festival grounds.

Friday’s lineup includes Zerb, Wale, Robin Schulz, Kryptogram, and Sander Kleinenberg.

Saturday will feature Sean Paul (Weekend 1 only), Big Boi from Outkast (Weekend 2 only), Coi Leray, Andruss, Joshwa, Niiko X Swae, and REDKE.

Sunday will feature Motion City Soundtrack, Less Than Jake, Nimino, Oskar Med K, Mild Minds.

“Heineken House emits a magnetic energy that fans seek out year after year.  It has become an iconic destination where fans connect, socialize and enjoy a music experience unlike any other on the festival grounds.  Beyond this stellar line-up, we’ll be announcing even more surprises for the Heineken House in the coming months that will further cement it as the destination for social connection on festival grounds,” said Guilherme de Marchi Retz, Marketing VP of Heineken at HEINEKEN USA. 

Last week, festival organizers released the lineup for the Dolab and Quasar stages.

The inclusions are in addition to the previously announced artists on the main Coachella lineup. The 2026 Coachella festival will be headlined by Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G.

The Coachella Music and Arts Festival will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on April 10-12 and April 17-19.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Peter Daut

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Thousands of cyclists will take over streets across the valley on Saturday for the 28th annual “Tour de Palm Springs.”

The event is one of the largest charity cycling rides in the country, drawing up to 8,000 participants from nearly every state and several countries each year.

Routes range from short walks to a 102-mile ride, all starting in downtown Palm Springs and spanning the Coachella Valley.

It has raised millions of dollars for local charities since it began in 1998.

“We have about 100 to 150 nonprofit organizations that sign up through us. So everything they raise and everything they bring in, we give right back to them as a donation for their charity,” Kathleen Esser, executive director of the Tour de Palm Springs.

This year’s theme honors military members, first responders, and veterans. Click here for more information.

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Jesus Reyes

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – A paraglider was rushed to the hospital after crashing into power lines Monday afternoon in Mecca.

The crash was reported just before 5:10 p.m. on Johnson Street and Highway 111.

CAL FIRE said the person suffered major injuries and was airlifted to the hospital.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Caltrans officials are expected tomorrow to officially designate Varner Road in Thousand Palms a “State Priority Safety Corridor,” targeting the street under a data-driven effort to reduce crashes and fatalities.

California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy, California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee and Office of Traffic Safety Director Stephanie Dougherty are among those set to take part in the announcement, which will be made at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sunline Transit Agency, 72420 Varner Road.   

Varner Road will be designated as a priority corridor aimed to test, learn and make visible progress toward road safety in California, officials said.  

According to state officials, there were 3,612 fatalities and 14,392 serious injuries in California on the state highway system and local road networks.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Police Department released data on crime trends from 2024 to 2025, showing a reduction in most major crime categories.

According to the department, crimes against persons dropped by nearly nine percent, crimes against property fell by almost twelve percent, and overall crime decreased by eleven percent.

Arrests rose as well, driven mainly by proactive work in drug, DUI, and quality-of-life enforcement.

“These improvements don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of a community that stays alert, engaged, and willing to work with its police department. Your tips, your willingness to report concerns, and your partnership with your officers all play a major role in these results,” PSPD wrote on social media. “We also want to recognize the work of our team. By identifying crime trends early and setting focused goals, they were able to address issues proactively and prevent problems from growing. Their day-to-day efforts contributed to these reductions.”

Last month, city officials also touted new technology, including Flock cameras and drones, as another reason for the success in crime-solving rates.

PSPD did report an 8% increase in sex offense crimes from 2024 to 2025. Additionally, the department is handing out more hazardous traffic violations, at an increase of 400 to 1,500.

The department was down 12 officers at one point last year, but they’ve been able to fill most of those positions, News Channel 3’s Kendall Flynn reported last month. Officials said the process for those new hires to reach the station after the police academy in field training is about one year, so they hope those spots will be filled shortly so they can shift to a proactive response.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – One year after 26-year-old Lorenzo Segoviano was fatally shot outside a Food 4 Less in Indio, his family said they are still waiting for justice as the man accused in the killing remains out on supervised bail.

“My son Lorenzo was a very happy person,” mother Veronica Segoviano said. “He was always happy, never angry, just happy living his life.”

Lorenzo Segoviano

She described him as a hard worker who loved his family, animals, helping people experiencing homelessness and a kind person.

News Channel 3 was first on scene when the deadly shooting happened in February 2025.

Gideon Gonzalez Jr. of Indio is accused of killing Segoviano. He faces charges including: murder, 2 counts of assault with a gun, and 2 counts of child cruelty, as well as sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Segoviano’s family said their grief has turned into anger as the case drags on.

“It’s taking too long,” Veronica said. “They have everything they need. It’s not fair for the other guy to be at home. They caught him with evidence… I want justice for my son.”

A Riverside County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson said Gonzalez Jr.’s bail was originally set at $1 million. Prosecutors opposed the defense’s request to lower bail, but the court later ordered Supervised Conditional Bail set at $250,000 with specific conditions.

When she learned bail had been reduced, Lorenzo’s mother said she was angry.

“I’m not satisfied with the justice system at all,” Veronica said.

The family also points to court delays.

The DA’s Office confirmed the defendant’s preliminary hearing was continued from Dec. 19 to Feb. 20, 2026, at the defense’s request, with the court finding good cause.

“We don’t like it,” Veronica said. “We want it to hurry up.”

Ricardo Jimenez III, Lorenzo’s uncle, said the family feels the system has failed them.

“When you lose a child, it’s traumatic,” Jimenez said. “We’re still hurting. We’re grieving.”

Family members gathered Sunday for a remembrance honoring Lorenzo, drawing dozens of friends and relatives.

“The parking lot was filled,” Jimenez said. “That’s how much he was loved.”

Despite their anger and frustration, the family said they will continue pushing for accountability.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Reaction continues after a fundraising event in Palm Desert. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was the guest speaker of the event and News Channel 3 didn’t shy away from hard questions.

It was all part of the Starry Starry Night Gala for breast cancer awareness Sunday at the Chapperel Country Club.

Kennedy attended with his wife, actress Cheryl Hines.

He told News Channel 3 the United States continues to lead in the fight against cancer. He said it’s important that research institutions have the needed funding to continue reducing cancer deaths.

We asked Kennedy about his controversial positions.

“What do you say to the critics when you’re here at an event like this, obviously in support of cancer research and, and the betterment of cancer patients?” News Channel 3 asked Kennedy.

Kennedy answered, “Like critics. I mean, I don’t know what, I, you know, we’re on the research agenda at NIH is stronger than it’s ever been. We’ve never cut any research jobs. We did a lot of administrative cuts to make the agency more efficient and more effective and allow us to spend less money on the bureaucracy and more on research.“

Kennedy’s visit didn’t come without protest. Dozens of people were out holding up signs along Portola Avenue with signs in support of science and vaccines.

More than $100,000 was raised at the event. It all went to the Moore Cancer Center at UC San Diego.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire at Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs has prompted nearby residents to call for stronger fire prevention efforts, saying the damage could have been avoided.

The blaze broke out Sunday, scorching 3.5 acres and destroying nearly 100 trees, according to officials. Residents say the most alarming part is how close the flames came to nearby homes.

One resident criticized Oswit Land Trust, which owns the preserve, saying more should be done to protect surrounding neighborhoods. While supportive of the preserve, the resident said maintaining natural land comes with responsibility, including fire guards, irrigation, defensible space around the property, and access to fire hydrants.

Oswit Land Trust says the fire is being investigated as a potential case of arson and is asking the community to help with habitat restoration. The organization also says it has measures in place to mitigate risks.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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