JUNE 4, 2009 - A 56-year-old man was killed when the car he was riding in smashed into a palm tree following a brief high-speed pursuit, authorities said. Gregory Fisher, 56, of Cathedral City was a passenger in a car that Cathedral City police attempted to pull over for speeding about 4 a.m. near Date Palm and East Palm Canyon drives, according to Cathedral City police. The driver, identified as 37-year-old Jason Pappas of Cathedral City, sped into Rancho Mirage at speeds of up to 100 mph, police said. The pursuit ended about three minutes later when Pappas lost control at Country Club Drive and Highway 111, jumped a curb and struck the palm tree. Fisher was transported to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, where he was pronounced dead at 5:22 a.m., according to the Riverside County coroner. Pappas was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and manslaughter, according to police. According to police, Pappas has a previous conviction for driving under the influence.

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