A vehicle tore through a pedestrian walkway and slammed into two storefronts in downtown Palm Springs at around 4 p.m. Saturday, leaving shattered glass scattered across the scene at 120 La Plaza. The crash damaged Gallivant and Bill's Pizza, two businesses that sit along one of the city's busiest shopping and dining corridors.
According to KESQ, the vehicle drove through the walkway before striking the glass windows of both businesses. No information about injuries was immediately available, and the circumstances that led up to the crash were not immediately clear, the station reported. NBC Palm Springs reported that video from the scene showed shattered glass throughout the area and that the incident caused significant damage to both businesses, leaving local residents in shock.
Conflicting Accounts of What Caused the Crash
Business owners told KESQ that the driver's foot got stuck on the accelerator, causing him to drive onto the walkway and crash into the storefronts. That explanation has not been confirmed by officials. NBC Palm Springs similarly reported, per business owners, that the driver appeared to have his foot stuck on the gas pedal and did not have time to brake before the vehicle crashed into the buildings.
Neither outlet has published an official police or fire account of what happened, and officials have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the incident. KESQ noted that News Channel 3 had reached out to officials for more details, while NBC Palm Springs said it plans to provide updates as more details become available.
A Corridor With a History of Vehicles Striking Businesses
Saturday's crash is not the first time a vehicle has struck a downtown Palm Springs business this year. In January, a suspected drunk driver crashed into the front dining patio of Casa Blanca and fled the scene shortly after 1 a.m., according to the same KESQ report on dining patio safety. Police said that crash caused extensive damage to the restaurant and the vehicle, and the restaurant's owner estimated the rebuild would cost nearly $20,000.
That January incident also prompted Palm Springs Police Capt. Gustavo Araiza to note that a similar crash could have been much deadlier had it happened during the day while patrons were using the outdoor parklet, raising broader questions about the safety of outdoor dining setups downtown.
Earlier Crash Led to Arrest and Multiple Charges
A separate 2024 incident described by NBC Los Angeles showed how serious these walkway crashes can become. In that case, a 30-year-old man identified as Jose Uzaga was arrested after allegedly driving an SUV into street barricades near the Marilyn Monroe statue on the 100 block of Museum Way at about 10:15 p.m. on a Friday, then continuing along a walkway between businesses before striking the rear window of one business and causing extensive interior damage to another while trying to turn around.
Police said Uzaga then returned to Palm Canyon Drive, hit a parked car, pushed it out of the way and fled the scene. He was booked on charges of hit-and-run, vandalism and DUI, held on $10,000 bail, and had a court date set at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, per the outlet's report.
As of now, the driver, vehicle details and any potential charges connected to Saturday's crash at Gallivant and Bill's Pizza remain unknown, and neither business has issued a public statement on the extent of the damage. Hoodline will share updates on this story as officials or the businesses release more information.
