Woman, 23, convicted of murder in 2021 DUI crash
A 23-year-old woman is awaiting sentencing for murder and DUI crimes stemming from a 2021 Memorial Day crash.
Emely Maria Bailon Castaneda was accused of driving under the influence, leading to a collision that killed a man and injured a woman, referred to in court as "Clinton P." and "Tiffany C." On Thursday, Castaneda was found guilty on all three counts prosecutors presented against her.
California Highway Patrol tells News Channel 3 that the deadly crash happened on May 31, 2021. It was just after 10:00 p.m. when the driver of a Toyota was headed the wrong way on State Route 62 eastbound, east of Dillon Road, colliding with a Volkswagen. The driver of the Volkswagen was killed. The driver of the Toyota was arrested for DUI.
Prosecutors claimed in court filings that Castaneda had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20 and she did "unlawfully drive a motor vehicle while their driving privileges had been suspended and revoked."
The Riverside County Coroner's Office identified the victim who died as Clinton Palmquist, 45, of Landers.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 14.
