DUI Suspect Accused of Colliding with Police Unit

A suspected drunk driver was recently arrested after police said he struck a patrol car that was parked on the side of a road.

The officer, however, was outside of his vehicle helping an injured dog at the time of the crash, according to a Palm Springs Police news release.

The crash happened just before 3 a.m. Sunday on eastbound Vista Chino east of Whitewater Club Drive. According to Palm Springs Police officials, the officer had responded to a report of an injured dog. He was tending to it when he heard a crash behind him.

He turned, he saw a black 2006 Honda Civic had collided with the patrol car. Police said the officer had his emergency lights activated before the collision.

The Honda’s driver, identified as Gareth Delacruz, 30, of Palm Springs, was not seriously injured. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.  He had two passengers with him who were not injured. They are not listed as arrested.

Delacruz was taken to the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning,

The injured dog was taken to a nearby veterinary hospital. A second stray dog was recovered by officers and was taken to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, officials said.