Newport Beach Man Suspected of DUI, Crashing into Parked SUV in Palm Desert

A 52-year-old man from Newport Beach was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving when his Land Rover struck a parked Chevrolet Blazer in Palm Desert, a police sergeant said today.

Paul Couchot, the lone occupant in his vehicle, suffered moderate injuries, said Palm Desert police Sgt. Patrick Carroll, and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Carroll said Couchot was driving southbound in the 45000 block of Ocotillo Drive, south of Tumbleweed Lane, when he allowed the black Land Rover to drift toward the west side of the roadway and strike the parked SUV.

Deputies were dispatched to the scene at 8:50 p.m. Saturday, he said.

--City News Service