On October 28, 1988, Officer David Vasquez was conducting an accident investigation at an intersection on Date Palm Drive near 35th Street in Cathedral City. It was approximately 6:30 in the evening when a vehicle driving northbound on Date Palm by a lone female struck him as he was standing next to one of the disabled vehicles.

It was estimated that the driver of the vehicle was traveling at a speed of 45 mph when she impacted with Vasquez. Emergency medical treatment was given at the scene and he was transported to Eisenhower Hospital where he succumbed to h is injuries and died that evening. The driver, whose license was expired, was not wearing her required prescription glasses.

Vasquez was one of the original officers hired by the Cathedral City Police Department. He worked patrol, detectives and at the time of his death was reassigned to patrol as a field training officer. He started his police career with the Laguna Beach Police Department then moved to the Los Angeles Housing then in on June 18, 1984 came to work for the newly formed Cathedral City Police Department.

Vasquez, 30, was survived by his parents and siblings.