According to a recent article appearing on the Patch.com website, a Los Angeles man has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for his role in a fatal crash in July.
Prosecutors allege that on July 30, 2022, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the defendant, 57-year-old Kevin Atteberry, was driving southbound on Sunrise Way in Palm Springs when he rear-ended a vehicle that was stopped at a traffic signal at the intersection of Sunrise Way and East Palm Canyon Drive.
Officers with the Palm Springs Police Department responding to the scene say that the other vehicle’s driver, a man from Palm Springs, died at the scene. A boy of unspecified age who was a passenger in the other car was rushed to Loma Linda Medical Center with head and neck pain, a brain bleed, and lacerations on his right foot.
Two additional vehicles were also involved in the crash, but no other injuries were reported.
Authorities say that Atteberry is also suspected of causing a prior, non-injury crash on Sunset Way just before the fatal crash. According to testimony given by Officer Rhett Arden of the Palm Springs Police Department, Atteberry displayed symptoms of intoxication including slow, slurred speech and bloodshot and watery eyes after the crash.
Atteberry was under treatment for injuries he suffered in the crash for more than two months. He was released on October 9, 2022, and surrendered to the police.
On December 22, 2022, Atteberry pleaded guilty to one count of felony murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, and DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than .08 percent. Atteberry also pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license. He also admitted to sentence enhancements due to a prior DUI conviction.
On Thursday, February 16, at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, the court sentenced Atteberry to 15 years to life in prison.
