Man convicted on 2 DUI counts for fatal Cathedral City crash

A drugged driver who caused the death of a Palm Springs woman by crashing into her car at more than 100 miles per hour on a Cathedral City roadway was convicted today of two counts of DUI causing injury, but jurors were unable to reach a consensus on a second-degree murder charge.

Emanuele Trombini, 26, rear-ended 50-year-old Caryn Clemente’s car on Feb. 24, 2016, killing her and seriously injuring her 16-year-old son.

Trombini, who prosecutors say was under the influence of Xanax and marijuana at the time of the crash, was found guilty for inflicting “life-threatening brain injuries” to the teenager, according to court documents, as well as injuring Trombini’s girlfriend, who was a passenger in his BMW.

Jury selection to begin in fatal Cathedral City DUI case

However, following about three days of deliberation, the panel was unable to reach a verdict on a second-degree murder count Trombini is facing for Clemente’s death. Trombini is slated to return to court in February, at which time prosecutors may pursue a retrial on the murder count.

Trombini’s BMW rear-ended Clemente’s Toyota Camry at about 7:30 p.m. in the 67790 block of East Palm Canyon Drive. Clemente died at the scene.

Prosecutors allege that data downloaded from the module on Trombini’s BMW indicated he was driving as much as 107 mph at the time of the crash in a 40 mph zone along East Palm Canyon Drive.

Man facing manslaughter charges in Cathedral City crash

Trombini was hospitalized with injuries of moderate to minor severity, according to Cathedral City police. He was arrested about two weeks after the crash and remains held without bail, according to county jail records.

Trombini has no prior felony convictions in Riverside County, but prosecutors noted in court documents that he has several prior speeding tickets, including a 2015 ticket for driving 87 mph in a 45 mph zone.