A 55-year-old motorist suspected of fatally striking one pedestrian and injuring another Oct. 20 in Coachella while driving under the influence of alcohol was charged Wednesday with murder and other felonies.
Jose Alfredo Jimenez of Indio also faces one count of DUI gross vehicular manslaughter and two counts of DUI causing injury.
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Oct. 23 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, and Riverside County Superior Court Judge William S. Lebov set his bail at $1 million. He was previously being held without bail.
Celena Nava, 25, of Coachella, was killed about 7:10 p.m. Sunday on Calhoun Street, south of Avenue 49, and another female whose age wasn't given was taken to a hospital with major injuries. Jimenez was arrested shortly after 9:30 p.m. near the scene and booked at the county jail in Indio.
Riverside County sheriff's Deputy Julio Oseguera said the victims were struck by a GMC truck on the road's west shoulder.
Jimenez was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in 2002, which made him legally eligible for a murder charge in this case, according to Deputy District Attorney Pete Nolan.
Reported by City News Service
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