Skip to Content

DUI driver in death of Coachella teen sentenced

A drunken driver who triggered a multi-car crash in Indio that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injuries to more than a dozen others was sentenced today to more than 30 years to life in state
prison.

Juan Gomez, 50, of Indio, pleaded guilty last week to gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing injury charges for the Dec. 26, 2016, crash that killed Marco Avila of Coachella, and injured 14 people, eight of whom had to be hospitalized.

Gomez was speeding down southbound Monroe Street in a Ford Explorer that crashed into several vehicles at Avenue 48 around 6:45 p.m., according to Indio police Sgt. Daniel Marshall.

Gomez’s SUV sideswiped a Toyota Camry, then crashed into a Nissan SUV stopped at the intersection, pushing the Nissan into a stopped Honda SUV. The teenager, who was a passenger in the Nissan, died of his injuries eight days later at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital.

Gomez was initially charged with murder due to a 2005 conviction out of Indio for drunken driving, but that count was dismissed at sentencing.

Download the KESQ & CBS Local 2 app on iTunes or Google Play for up-to-the-minute breaking news alerts & more

More: Today’s Top Stories

First Alert Forecast

More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations

Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2

Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2

We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2

Watch live newscasts

Noticias en español: Telemundo 15

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

KESQ News Team

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content