CATHEDRAL CITY, California – Police arrested a Newport Beach man suspected of driving under the influence after he struck and killed Lourdes Jauregui, 39, of Cathedral City early Saturday morning on Date Palm Drive between Converse Road and Gerald Ford Drive, according to a Riverside County Sheriff Coroner press release.
Jauregui died at the scene of the pedestrian crash about 1:50 a.m., the Coroner report said.
James Coley was arrested by police at the scene of the pedestrian accident. Coley had admitted to police that he was drinking earlier that night at a Palm Springs bar prior to the crash, according to several news reports. Police are also seeking a potential witness to the crash who was traveling with Jauregui and fled the scene, news reports stated.
The pedestrian accident took place near the Palm Springs Oasis RV Park in Cathedral City located in Coachella Valley and part of Riverside County, California.
“Police will seek to locate the witness to this crash as well as gather evidence against this alleged drunk driver,” said Attorney West Seegmiller, founder of the Seegmiller Law Firm. “Drivers who are reckless, drinking or distracted can be cited and charged with criminal acts if they injure or kill someone on the roadway.”
Witnesses are asked to call police at (760) 770-0300.
Drunk Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, some 791 people died because of drunk drivers out of a total of 2,715 people who were killed in traffic accidents in California in 2010.
Nationwide there were 10,228 deaths attributed to alcohol impaired driving in 2010, the NHTSA reports. Some 32,885 people died in traffic accidents nationwide. While the numbers are staggering, deaths from drunk drivers were actually down nearly 5% in 2010 compared to 2009.
The Seegmiller Law Firm
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident we know that this is a difficult time. We offer our condolences to the family and friends of the victim. If someone else was responsible for this accident it’s important that you act quickly to protect your rights and future. For roughly 30 years, the legal experts at Seegmiller Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients who were injured in serious traffic accidents or have lost a loved one.
Our legal team has also handled hundreds of wrongful death claims for families of victims killed in traffic accidents. Our staff is compassionate and understands the pain its clients are going through. We know that this is a difficult time for those who have been injured and for the families of those who have been killed. Our firm has a proven track record of providing fair compensation to victims and their families.
There is no cost to clients until our experienced team of lawyers and legal professionals have won your case. Finding the best car accident attorney can mean you will get the settlement you need to get your life back on track. Compensation for your injuries, loss of wages and pain and suffering can’t take away the trauma of the accident, but it can help you rebuild your life.
Call us today at 1-855-ASK WEST (1-855-275-9378) to speak with our car accident law firm. Seegmiller Law Firm has offices in California including its headquarters in Irvine. We also have offices outside of Orange County to serve you in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As it turns out this driver was NOT reckless, the woman was running across a dark street and almost hit by another car seconds before . The driver responded responsibly and the police investigation determined that he was not at fault, thanks to witnesses at the scene when it happened. She was the one being reckless with her own life. And why did her companion keep running?? What was really going on???
regardless of who it may have been that caused this…that person that was killed by a driver whom was under the influence, had a family that is forever hurt by losing this loved family member of theirs. the man was intoxicated, therefore this could have possibly been prevented if the driver was sober. it could have been avoided.
@ shar b. u sound so ignorant and possibly maybe a racist..the poor woman was crossing from west to east on date palm drive..what that police sergeant said on the kesq article about her jumping in front of a vehicle moving northbound don’t even make sense and you really should become more informed before you fabricate lies that she almost was hit by another car and was reckless with her own life..she was an innocent pedestrian..ive read just about all of the media articles..the desert sun,cbs local.press enterprise..and for you to say he wasn’t driving reckless is plain ignorant..the police stated that he appeared to be totally under the influence loaded on drugs and alcohol and admitted it, obviously an impaired driver …….and her companion running in panic to get help has nothing to do with the accident..educate yourself a little more before you post non sense…..
Shar I think you should keep your mouth shut because you weren’t there and have absolute no right to say NOTHING. Yea that fkin idiot ran but who the hell are u to judge her life when you had no idea who she was and I did!?!?! Without a doubt the nicest lady you can meet who had a excellent job with the county who was waiting for her pension. The fkin low life she was with was her neighbor she felt bad for and went to buy him tacos because shes the kind of person she was and helped everybody, she didn’t drive cause it was down the road. The ignorant driver should of seen her half a mile from where he was driving and noticed her but he said it himself he had beers and left the bar hollowing ass having no regard what was in front of him, bitch. He better get life!
Let’s see, she was crossing a very dark road……why didn’t she see the headlights of the oncoming car-it was too dark for the driver to see her.
@ shar b. u sound so ignorant and possibly maybe a racist..the poor woman was crossing from west to east on date palm drive..what that police sergeant said on the kesq article about her jumping in front of a vehicle moving northbound don’t even make sense and you really should become more informed before you fabricate lies that she almost was hit by another car and was reckless with her own life..she was an innocent pedestrian..ive read just about all of the media articles..the desert sun,cbs local.press enterprise..and for you to say he wasn’t driving reckless is plain ignorant..the police stated that he appeared to be totally under the influence loaded on drugs and alcohol and admitted it, obviously an impaired driver ..he was totally arrested and booked what do you mean police report in his favor??…..and her companion running in panic to get help has nothing to do with the accident..educate yourself a little more before you post non sense…..
when the truth comes out, you will see there were NO lies. her companion was a parolee running away from the police. HE NEVER RETURNED!! she was intoxidated too and used poor judgement to run across this dark street. this is a horrible tragedy for ALL involved.
why you say she was intoxidedate? and dont understand? if she was whit a companion parolee
is a crime? So tomorrow you walk in some street and maybe you do not be condition normal and a drivercar take your life… is that fact a cause the not a crime? NOBODY CAN KILLER a other person.
WHAT????
lets do the math shall we……the innocent pedestrian was crossing date palm drive from west bound to east bound toward her apt. the vehicle that hit her was traveling north bound from gerald ford on the east side of date palm drive ..her crossing from west to east and hit by the vehicle traveling northbound would mean she was over three quarters accross the street..this vehicle had to be traveling at excessive speeds for her body to be discovered 30 feet south of vehicle..a motorist has an obligation to always lookout for pedestrians regardless, she pretty much was almost made it to the side walk…her companion that ran from the scene was her neighbor, and prime witness her roomate knew he was with her.so he had no where to hide..him running i suppose due to panic may have not been so good samaritan but he has already been questioned by the police and free to go..this guy being on parole has nothing to do with the accident he was a few feet ahead of her when she got hit…his reason for running i believe he stated was in panic to run for help..this woman has been a faithful public servant for the county of riverside dpss in cathedral city, ca for several years.. without a doubt the driver was extremelly impaired, intoxicated and apparently according to police high on drugs. as this investigation is completed and discovery is presented in a criminal court of law then justice shall take its course and provail……god bless the familly and loved ones of this victom…..
“let’s do the math shall we”?
My friend is an investigator in the case. I have priveledged info….your scenario is not accurate.
This was a horrible horrible accident and it is tragic. My heart goes out to the family of both parties.
my scenario is based on 90% of the media headlines and word of mouth of people that know this victim…if it isnt accurate.and your friend is an investigator, please share your thoughts…on how u think it happend… id like to know, but if your in defense of the driver, or maybe had a problem with the victim…then please justify or keep your comments to yourself.. if you cant support your statements why even comment, u just sound foolish…..