One person is dead, and two others injured, following a crash involving a Sheriff’s deputy early Saturday morning. About 6:30 a.m., Thomas Geiger, 22, of Yucca Valley, was driving a 2008 Honda Civic eastbound on Highway 62. As Geiger approached the intersection of Indio Avenue, he started to make a left turn onto Indio Avenue into the path of an oncoming Sheriff’s patrol car. Geiger’s car was broadsided by the patrol car. Robert Barajas, 24, of Yucca Valley, was sitting in the Honda’s front passenger seat and was not wearing his seatbelt. Robert Barajas was killed in the crash. Thomas Geiger received major injuries and was taken to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs where he is in stable condition. The deputy received minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital.
The name of the deputy involved was not released.