Crime & Safety

Arrest Made After 80-Year-Old Woman Struck, Seriously Injured, By Hit-And-Run Driver In Palm Springs

Police said witnesses at the scene saw the motorist briefly stop after hitting the woman, but then drive away.

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A motorist suspected of hitting and injuring an 80-year-old woman with his vehicle and then fleeing the scene in Palm Springs was arrested Tuesday.

James Schadlick, 67, was booked into Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of a felony hit-and-run causing injury, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

Bail information was not immediately available.

Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The woman was struck shortly after 6:30 p.m. July 15 in the area of Hermosa Drive and Vista Chino, police said. Arriving officers found a woman, whose name was not released, suffering from major injuries. She was taken to a hospital in an unknown condition.

Police said witnesses at the scene saw the motorist briefly stop after hitting the woman, but then drive away. The suspect's vehicle was believed to be a white Ford F-150, possibly a 2000 model year.

Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The department utilized resources and technology from the Coachella Valley Real-Time Intelligence Center to develop leads in the case, which led to the identity of the suspect's vehicle.

A served search warrant was executed Tuesday in the 2300 block of Nicola Road, where investigators allegedly found evidence related to the collision, including the vehicle involved, police said.

The investigation was ongoing, and anyone with additional information was asked to contact traffic Investigator Steve Sanders at 760-323-8125. Anonymous tips can be reported through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.