A five-vehicle collision in Palm Springs on Monday evening killed a Chula Vista man, injured seven people, hospitalized four.
The Riverside County Coroner’s Office announced on Tuesday the Identity of Leon Reynoso, 36, who was pronounced dead at Desert Regional Medical Center following the five-vehicle collision at the intersection of North Palm Canyon Drive and Alejo Road. At least one other person sustained major injuries.
Andrew Watson Hibbard, 41, of Portland Oregon is facing charges of murder, gross vehicle manslaughter involving intoxication, and DUI causing bodily injury according to Riverside County jail records. Hibbard was taken into custody following the crash, which occurred at about 5 p.m. His bail is set at $2 million.
Authorities found in a preliminary investigation announced on Tuesday that Hibbard was driving southbound in a conversion van on North Palm Canyon Drive. Evidence and witness statements indicated Hibbard was speeding before colliding with the rear of a Tesla, which caused a chain reaction of collisions.
Court records from Palm Springs and Multnomah County, Oregon revealed two separate DUI charges. Riverside County court records state Hibbard was arrested in 2008 by Palm Springs police for DUI and spent five days in jail, and was on probation for three years. In 2006, he plead guilty to DUI charges in Multnomah County where he was admitted to a diversion program for the conviction, which was dismissed in 2008.
Jose Guzman organized a GoFundMe page to help Reynoso's family raise $20,000 to pay for funeral expenses. As of Tuesday afternoon, it had raised $4,965 from 58 donors.
