Man faces murder charge for DUI crash that killed teen
The Indio man facing multiple felony charges for crashing into several vehicles while allegedly driving drunk on December 26 is scheduled to appear at the Larson Justice Center Tuesday morning.
Video: Cal Fire responds to Indio crash
Juan Alvarez Gomez, 48, was driving a Ford Explorer at a high rate of speed southbound on Monroe Street, approaching Avenue 48, when he collided with several vehicles at about 6:45 p.m. Indio police officers said he sideswiped a car as he approached the intersection, and then rear-ended a different car, triggering another rear-end collision with an SUV.
A 14-year-old boy died from injuries he sustained during the crash. He was originally listed in critical condition at Desert Regional Medical Center but was transferred to Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in San Bernardino due to his injuries and age.
The teen, Marco “Tony” Avila, was an eighth grader at Bobby Duke Middle School in Coachella. His brother, Luis, described Tony as “kind, outgoing and loving.” Luis Avila suffered a broken leg in the crash, and their mother Letty Ortiz, also suffered a back injury. Co-workers of Ortiz’ at Food 4 Less have held fundraisers to help the family with medical bills and funeral costs. A gofundme page has also been set up, with just over $2,500 raised in nine days.
Three other people were also rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in critical condition. A total of 14 people suffered minor injuries from the crash.
The investigation by traffic investigators led to Gomez being arrested on January 6 at 12:27 p.m. at the Indio Police Station on Jackson Street, officers said in a news release.
According to jail records, Gomez is facing felony charges of murder with malice, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing bodily injury. He’s being held on no bail at the Southwest Detention Center and is due for court in Indio Tuesday at 8 a.m.
