Updated on 7/16 @ 10:00 a.m. with victim names and further details provided by CHP.
A fatal collision involving a propane tank on Old Woman Springs Road left one person dead and two people injured.
At around 2:30 p.m. today (July 15), what the California Highway Patrol described as a “head on collision” occurred on State Route 247 near Rattlesnake Canyon Road and Joshua Tree Road in Johnson Valley.
The CHP reports that a David Bell, an 84 year old resident of Palm Desert, was driving a Toyota Prius southbound on the highway when, for unknown reasons, he crossed over the double yellow line into the northbound lane. The Toyota collided with a Ford F550 which was carrying propane tanks.
The CHP says Bell was ejected from the car, and died immediately. His passenger, and the driver of the Ford were taken to the hospital for moderate injuries.
Both cars caught fire, but flames were extinguished by responding crews from San Bernardino County fire by 3:15 p.m. No additional injuries were reported.
The cause of the collision is currently under investigation by the CHP, though drugs and alcohol are not being considered as factors.
