Famous director killed in La Quinta DUI collision

Update: Man gets probation in DUI crash that killed ‘Oscars’ director

A La Quinta resident was in custody Friday morning, accused of running over a man who’d just gotten out of his car on Thursday night.

We’re learning the man who was hit and killed was a famous director who’s best known for his work at the Academy Awards.

Police and medics were called to the 49700 block of Via Conquistador at 9:22 p.m. Thursday night inside the Rancho La Quinta Country Club.

Officers arrested Keith Stewart, 75, saying he left his vehicle in gear after getting out of it.

The vehicle rolled striking Marty Pasetta, 82, of La Quinta and another person who had already gotten out of the vehicle. Pasetta was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:34 p.m., just minutes after the collision.

Pasetta is a famous director who Variety Magazine said is best known for directing the Academy Awards from 1972 to 1988. He set a record for directing the event 17-years in a row. He also contributed to ‘Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii, which aired in 1973 in more than 40 countries, according to Variety.

The other injured passenger was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Stewart was also treated at a hospital for minor injuries related to the collision and then jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Stewart was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio for felony charges of vehicular manslaughter, and DUI causing injury.

Jail records indicated he was set to appear in court July 20th.