A hit-and-run driver is now facing a vehicular manslaughter charge after one of the two juveniles he allegedly hit in La Quinta died from their injuries, authorities announced Friday.
Deputies with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department were notified on Oct. 24 that one of the two juveniles struck on Oct. 10 had succumbed to their injuries, the department said in an update. Officials said the second juvenile has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Their identities are not being released because they are minors.
Around 9:06 p.m. on Oct. 10, the two juveniles were riding bicycles across Highway 111 when, according to officials, they were struck by a vehicle near the intersection at Adams Street in La Quinta. The driver fled before first responders arrived, and both victims were taken to a hospital with major injuries.
Investigators found the suspected vehicle in La Quinta and detained the driver, identified as 47-year-old Jose Villegasorbe of Palm Springs.
The Sheriff’s Department said evidence shows Villegasorbe was intoxicated at the time of the crash and was also involved in a separate hit-and-run earlier that night in Indian Wells. He was additionally on probation for a prior DUI conviction, officials said.
Villegasorbe was arrested and booked at the John Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, DUI, hit-and-run and violation of probation. Prosecutors have since filed a manslaughter charge in connection with the juvenile’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy A. Martinez with the Thermal Sheriff’s Station’s La Quinta Traffic Team at 760-863-8990, or leave an anonymous tip at 760-341-STOP (7867), referencing incident #LA252830068.
Elizabeth Chapman contributed to this report.
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