With deep regret, we announce the passing of Ivy Fitzgerald, a 67-year-old resident of Joshua Tree, California, who tragically lost her life in a traffic collision on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Morongo Valley.
Around 2:40 p.m., a westbound Dodge Caliber made an improper U-turn across the eastbound lanes and into the path of an approaching Honda Civic at the junction of Rose Eden Drive on Twentynine Palms Highway (State Route 62). After suffering fatal injuries, Ivy, a passenger in the Dodge, was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, where she eventually passed away.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the driver of the Dodge Caliber refused medical transport at the scene. The driver of the Honda Civic and her three juvenile passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash, with a focus on the unsafe turning maneuver that led to the fatal collision.
Ivy Fitzgerald was remembered by those who knew her as a kind and steady presence in the Joshua Tree community. Her sudden death has left family and friends heartbroken, struggling to come to terms with the loss of a loved one taken far too soon on a familiar desert highway. The incident has cast a somber shadow over the Morongo Valley and surrounding High Desert area.
This tragic accident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers of improper turns on busy desert roads like State Route 62. Local residents and travelers are urged to exercise extra caution at intersections in the region to help prevent similar devastating outcomes.
As the investigation proceeds, Ivy’s loved ones are focusing on private remembrance and supporting one another through their grief. The family appreciates the thoughts and prayers from the community during this difficult time.
Ivy Fitzgerald will be remembered as a cherished resident of Joshua Tree whose life ended too abruptly in this unfortunate crash. Though her time with family and friends has ended, the warmth and memories she created will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
