Coroner I.D’s 2nd victim in golf cart crash as driver appears in court to face charges

Update: Friday afternoon 32-year old Angela Lavantry pleaded not guilty to a list of charges surrounding a DUI crash Wednesday that killed two men and two dogs riding in a golf cart.

AlsoThe Riverside County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that 77-year old Neil Karran from British Columbia was the 2nd victim that died in Wednesday night’s golf cart crash in Thousand Palms.

(original Story)

Authorities have arrested a 32-year-old woman who crashed into a golf cart in Thousand Palms, killing two elderly men and two dogs riding in the cart. And now officials said the woman is facing two counts of DUI second-degree murder.

Police identified the suspect as Angela Lavantry of Palm Desert.

All of Lavantry’s official charges were released Friday afternoon. Authorities said in addition to the two counts of second-degree murder, she’s been charged with one count of DUI drugs causing injury, two counts of animal cruelty, and one count of driving on a suspended license.

All of the charges are felonies except driving on a suspended license, deputies said.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 also confirmed that Lavantry has a previous DUI charge outside of Riverside County.

The Riverside County Coroner’s Office released the identity of one of the victims on Thursday afternoon. Officials said 76-year-old Ronald Little of British Columbia was killed in the crash.

Little’s wife, Carol, said to News Channel 3 / CBS Local 2 News he had a great love of animals all his life.

Carol Little said, “He would say ‘the more I deal with people the more I love my dogs.'”

Little is survived by three daughters of whom Carol said he was very proud.

Officers believe Lavantry was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the collision, which happened Wednesday at 3:22 p.m. as she was driving northbound on Desert Moon Drive approaching Colonial Drive.

The golf cart, driven by a 76-year-old man from Thousand Palms, was also going north on Desert Moon Drive when Lavantry’s Mercedes SUV hit the left rear of the golf cart, according to the CHP.

Authorities said Lavantry was driving over 50 MPH in a 25 MPH zone when she slammed into the golf cart. She stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers.

Desert Moon Drive was closed until about 7:40 p.m. while officers investigated the crash.

Officers said both elderly men riding in the golf cart were ejected in the crash and died at the scene. Two dogs riding in the golf cart were also killed in the collision.

The coroner’s office hasn’t identified the second victim yet, but The Province in British Columbia reported that it was 77-year-old Neil Karran. The paper spoke to his wife Jenny Karran from Kelowna, B.C., and she confirmed his death.

There are no golf cart lanes on the road but neighbors said a lot of people do drive golf carts in the area and the presence of a golf cart on the road didn’t seem to surprise the CHP either.

“We don’t believe the golf cart drivers were doing anything wrong, but when you are in a golf cart or on a bicycle or on a motorcycle you have much lower levels of protection, and when you are putting yourself on roadways with regular vehicles there is that enhanced danger,” said Sgt. Daniel Hesser with the CHP.

KESQ talked to residents who often see drivers going too fast.

“Some of these streets where people are driving too fast, usually young people, this is a seniors community it’s usually not the seniors that are driving too fast,” said Lorne Martindale who has live part time at the Tri Palm Estates for the past 18 years.

The investigation continues. We’ll have updates on KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 as the case moves forward.