A suspected drunken driver accused of fatally striking a pedestrian in Indio then fleeing the scene was charged Wednesday with DUI gross vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run and DUI causing injury.
Colin Havens, 30, of Palm Springs, is accused in Saturday night’s crash that killed 65-year-old Indio resident Elena Ramirez.
Ramirez was struck just before 9:30 p.m. at Valencia Avenue and Monroe Street, according to Indio police Sgt. Dan Marshall. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said Havens was driving a 1988 BMW and made a left turn from westbound Valencia onto southbound Monroe, striking Ramirez as she was crossing the street, then drove off.
Havens was later found in his car near Highway 111 and Golf Center Parkway and was arrested after police found him to be under the influence of alcohol, Marshall said.
Havens, who’s being held on $75,000 bail, is slated to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.