High-Speed Police Chase Case Goes To Trial

One year later, Cathedral City Police Officer Alfredo Luna listens to the last conversation he and Officer Jermaine Gibson had — on March 18th, 2011.

Prosecutors say Officer Gibson chased after 34-year-old Durjan Germaine Gray after seeing him make a high-speed u-turn in north Cathedral City. The defense says the chase went too far.

“When an officer sees something like that, yes, you may want to give chase. But, at some point, you’ve got to call the chase off. If you don’t, innocent people are going to get hurt,” defense attorney Greg Johnson said.

When the vehicles neared a curve on South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, Luna says he lost sight of them. The chase ended when Gray and Officer Gibson each crashed — just 200 yards away from each other. Gibson’s patrol car caught fire and he died.

Luna described seeing Gibson’s patrol car “in the shape of a “C” wrapped around a palm tree,” part of it on fire. Gray and his passenger survived.

“The officer’s accident was caused by the officer, not my client.”

Police say gray had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system when he led the pursuit. Gray faces four felony charges including second degree murder and driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs.

“It’s my hope today that after the preliminary hearing, Durjan will be held to answer on all the charges.”

Still the defense says bottom line, police chases cause problems. However, the prosecution says, how could Gibson let his duties go?

“Officer Gibson lost his life doing his job.”