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Crime & Safety

Nearly A Year Later, Case Drags In Death Of Police Officer

Cathedral City Police Officer Jermaine Gibson was killed in a high-speed chase last March.

A March 22 preliminary hearing date has been scheduled for a man accused of leading police on a high-speed pursuit last year that culminated with a crash that killed a Cathedral City police officer.

Durjan Germaine Gray, who allegedly got behind the wheel with methamphetamine and marijuana in his system, faces four felony charges, including second-degree murder, stemming from the March 18 chase that resulted in the death of Officer Jermaine Gibson on South Palm Canyon Drive.

Gray, 35, appeared Friday before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Victoria E. Cameron at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, where the preliminary hearing will also be held.

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The proceeding, which is expected to last a full court day, will determine if there is enough evidence to compel Gray to stand trial. The case -- just months from being a year old -- has been moving slowly.

Police allege Gray ignored the 28-year-old officer's order to pull over on Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City for traffic violations, prompting the chase which reached speeds of 100 mph.

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As Gray sped around the South Palm Canyon Drive curve in downtown Palm Springs, Gibson's squad car crashed into one of the landmark roadside palm trees and burst into flames, authorities said. He died at the scene.

Gray's car also crashed, and he and his passenger, who was not charged in the case, were injured.

The officer, a Beaumont resident, had been with the Cathedral City Police Department for about 18 months and previously worked as a reserve officer with the Desert Hot Springs Police Department. A former Marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq, where he was awarded the Purple Heart, he left behind a wife and infant son.

In addition to murder, Gray is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs causing great bodily injury, evading arrest causing great bodily injury and engaging in criminal street gang activity.

He remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail.

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