Two traffic incidents took place on Hill roads over the last week including one suspected driving under the influence/alcohol.
At 12:25 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, Zachariah House, 21, of Idyllwild, was driving a white 1998 Chevy Prism northbound on Highway 243, three-tenths of a mile north of Highway 74 in Mountain Center, when he crossed over double-yellow lines while rounding a wide curve. At the same time, Donald Driscoll, 61, of Hemet, was driving a silver 1992 Buick Regal southbound on Highway 243.
When House crossed the double-yellow lines, he struck Driscoll’s vehicle head-on. Both vehicles remained in the roadway blocking traffic.
The responding California Highway Patrol officer arrested House on suspicion of driving under the influence. House complained of pain in his lower back and was transported to San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning for treatment prior to being booked. A passenger in House’s vehicle, Anthony Wood, 24, also of Idyllwild, had a laceration over an eye. The case will be submitted to the county district attorney for evaluation to determine if it is a misdemeanor or felony DUI since there was injury to another.
Although Driscoll sustained knee abrasions, he did not request transport.
Both cars were towed to Idyllwild Garage.
At 1:28 a.m. Sunday Oct. 1, Kohda French, 22, of Idyllwild, was driving a black 2009 Nissan Murano westbound on South Circle Drive 80 feet west of Wallace Way, when he made an unsafe turning movement and collided with a pine tree and a chainlink fence, causing damage to both. French was not injured in the incident.
All reports are taken from transcripts of CHP investigating officers, as reported by CHP Public Information Officer Darren Meyer.
