Two women die in five-vehicle Palm Springs crash that cut power, shut down N. Indian Canyon for hours

Two women were killed in a traffic collision Monday evening on North Indian Canyon Drive that also knocked out power to more than 1,600 utility customers, authorities said.

The crash about 4:45 p.m. at Tramview Road claimed the lives of Desseree Lopez, 34; and Adele Johnson, 51, both of Palm Springs, according to the Riverside County Coroner's office. Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene just after 5 p.m. and Johnson died at Desert Regional Medical Center at 5:21 p.m.

They were in separate vehicles, police Lt. Frank Browning said.

The collision cut power to 1,627 Southern California Edison customers.

Police said Indian Canyon, which had been closed between San Rafael Drive and Interstate 10, was reopened about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday. 

The collision involved five vehicles, including a Dodge Ram pickup, a Mitsubishi Montero SUV and three sedans — a Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Ford. 

Police said the pickup was heading south when it caused the chain reaction.

Six people were involved, Browning said. The two women who died, three victims who taken to the hospital with major injuries and one who did not need medical treatment, police said. The driver of the pickup was among the survivors.

Drugs and alcohol did not appear to be factors, according to authorities.

Parishioners at Iglesia La Luz Del Mundo on Frontage Road, parallel to Indian Canyon, couldn't park at the church for their 7 p.m. service Monday evening because police closed Frontage. Instead, they parked a short distance away.

As she arrived Monday night at Iglesia La Luz Del Mundo church on Frontage Road, Palm Springs resident Araceli Padilla said she would mention the collision during service so everyone would pray for the victims.

Power had been restored by Monday night to those who lost electricity after the accident.

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Desert Sun reporter Colin Atagi covers crime, public safetyand road and highway safety. He can be reached at Colin.Atagi@desertsun.com or follow him at @tdscolinatagi.