Elvis Ponce Jr. Killed in Indio Crash on Avenue 44, Arabia Street

1 Dead, 5 Injured — Including Child — in Head-On Crash in Indio

INDIO, Calif. (April 28, 2026) — Elvis Ponce Jr., 22, of Riverside, died in a head-on collision in Indio Sunday evening on Avenue 44 that also left five others seriously injured.

The two-vehicle crash occurred on April 26th, just after 7 p.m. at the intersection with Arabia Street after the drivers of a Toyota Corolla and a Honda Accord collided.

The young man was one of two passengers riding in the Toyota at the time of the crash. He was found unresponsive inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:39 p.m., the Riverside County Sheriff Coroner reports. Meanwhile, a second man was discovered in the roadway with severe injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The 27-year-old man driving the Toyota reportedly fled the scene on foot. However, authorities later located him a short distance away on Arabia Street. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to a hospital. Authorities say he is in critical but stable condition and is suspected of driving under the influence.

Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man was driving the Honda with two passengers, a 33-year-old woman and her young son. All three occupants from the Honda sustained injuries. The woman and child were badly injured and airlifted from John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital to Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Riverside. Meanwhile, the driver from the Honda was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. All are reported to be in stable condition.

The Indio Police Department’s Traffic Unit is investigating the crash. Anyone with information is urged to contact investigators at (760) 391-4057.

Got Legal Questions? Get Answers: 1-800-208-3538

When it matters most, trust Attorney James Johnson at Johnson Attorneys Group. We are a personal injury law firm serving clients who have been injured throughout California due to negligent motorists. If you were hurt in this collision, call 1-(800) 208-3538. We will request the police report, and the attorney will discuss your options. You are under no obligation to hire us, and there is no cost unless we win your case. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).