In a recent story appearing on the Palms Springs Desert Sun website, a man has been charged with DUI murder following a crash in Palm Springs that killed a woman and left one other person injured.
Police have identified the suspect as 34-year-old Austin George Jackson of Whitewater.
Officials say that the fatal crash happened at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 3, on Highway 111 just north of Gateway Drive when Jackson rear-ended another vehicle occupied by two women at a high rate of speed.
The passenger in the other vehicle was declared dead at the scene, while the driver, a 55-year-old woman, was taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Jackson, who also suffered minor injuries, was taken to the hospital and treated. After being released by doctors, he was immediately arrested on suspicion of DUI. He was later booked into the Indio County Jail. He remains in custody in lieu of a $2 million bond.
In addition to the charge of murder, Jackson faces the charge of DUI and driving under the influence and two counts of causing bodily harm resulting in injury or death.
The Palm Springs Police Department told reporters that court records indicate Jackson has a prior DUI conviction in another state. Jackson’s prior conviction could lead to further sentencing enhancements for Jackson.
The charging enhancements likely to be added include engaging in violent conduct and having a concurrent sentence of additional crimes. These enhancements could add more time to any sentencing if Jackson is convicted of the charges against him.
