Woman charged with murder in deadly hit-and-run crash in Desert Hot Springs

A 51-year-old woman suspected in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Desert Hot Springs was charged with murder today.   

Sheila Johnson of Desert Hot Springs was also charged with a felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, as well as sentence-enhancing allegations for fleeing the scene, being armed, causing great bodily harm and engaging in violent conduct, according to court records. She was also charged with a misdemeanor count for being an unlicensed operator.  

Johnson was scheduled to be arraigned at the Larson Justice Center in Indio on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers responded to an area near Palm Drive and Buena Vista Avenue shortly after 8 p.m. on Aug. 24 to a report of a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

Police said a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle that was traveling southbound on Palm Drive when the man was crossing the roadway. The vehicle left the scene, they said.

Officers attempted life-saving measures until Cal Fire and EMS crews arrived, police said. The man, identified as 58-year-old Paul Nava, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Department detectives and the Major Accident Investigation Team identified Johnson as a suspect, police said. She was arrested in the 1300 block of South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

Johnson was being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on $1 million bail.

Anyone with information about the death was asked to call Sgt. Scott Hazen at 760-329-6411, ext. 372.

If you’d like to help support the Nava family with funeral expenses, click here for the GoFundMe.