A father was killed in a single-vehicle DUI crash Tuesday in Joshua Tree. According to a CHP press release, on March 15, shortly before 9 p.m., Kevin Spruell Jr., 24 of Joshua Tree, was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tracker northbound on Center Avenue north of Shifting Sands Drive with passenger Kevin Spruell Sr., 49 of Joshua Tree. Allegedly, due to his level of intoxication, Spruell Jr. unsafely turned the Chevrolet to the left causing the Chevrolet to roll over onto a dirt berm on private property. During the rollover, neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt, and both were thrown around within the vehicle. Kevin Spruell Sr. suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Spruell Jr. suffered major injuries and was transported by Morongo Basin Ambulance (MBA) to Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Palms Springs. Spruell Jr. was evaluated for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs. Spruell Jr. was arrested for investigation of DUI causing injury and is being treated at DRMC for his injuries.
