Surveillance Video In Pregnant Hit-And-Run Death Under Review
CATHEDRAL CITY- Police said they are reviewing newly discovered surveillance video in their investigation of a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a pregnant woman.
“The video does not show the collision, but it is helping us determine vehicle and pedestrian placement,” said Cathedral City police Lt. Glen Haas.
Danica Denton, 18, who was eight months pregnant, was walking west on East Palm Canyon Drive near Van Fleet Avenue when she was struck by a silver Lexus about 9:30 p.m. Feb. 11. She was pronounced dead about an hour later at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.
The next day, 34-year-old Gina M. Garcia was arrested and booked into the Palm Springs Jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, Haas said. She was later released on $25,000 bail.
The lieutenant said the footage — he declined to say where it was from — will be used to help create a mathematical formula to determine “what actually happened.”
“The presence of the video came as a surprise to us and … lengthened our investigation,” Haas said. “Ultimately, the added information is a benefit since we are looking to find the truth.”
Garcia will most likely be formally charged by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office later this week, when Cathedral City police finish their investigation, according to Haas.
“Whatever charges are ultimately recommended to the D.A.’s office will reflect a thoughtful, exhaustive investigation without favor to any party,” Haas said.
