Silvercrest CEO Held Without Bail in Fatal Cathedral City Hit-and-Run Case

Cathedral City Police have arrested 43-year-old William Frank Rodriguez, a Palm Springs resident and the CEO of Silvercrest Advertising, in connection with a deadly crash in Cathedral city over more than a year ago. He was taken into custody Monday and is now being held without bail at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio.

According to police, Rodriguez had been tentatively identified as a suspect within days of the crash. Court documents also show that Rodriguez has a 2013 DUI conviction out of Los Angeles County and had his license suspended. His driving privileges were never re-instated.

On October 11, 2024. Cathedral City Police responded to East Palm Canyon Drive, near Bankside Drive, where they found 60-year-old Christina Barrington and her injured dog lying in the roadway.

Investigators say Barrington was riding eastbound when she was struck from behind by a black 2021 Porsche. She died the following day at Desert Regional Medical Center. Her dog survived and was later reunited with family. Police now believe Rodriguez, also known as Billy Rodriguez, was the driver of that vehicle — and that he fled the scene after the crash, dragging the scooter behind him.

Hours before the incident, video surveillance shows Rodriguez visiting two bars on Arenas Road shortly after leaving a concert at Acrisure Arena, according to court documents. Rodriguez then proceeded to speed on East Palm Canyon Drive -- when he swerved and hit a woman on a scooter and her dog. Rodriguez continued to drive for 1400 feet, dragging the scooter, before making a sudden turn.

Court documents also show that Rodriguez left town and spent the weekend in Las Vegas the same week of the incident. According to police, Rodriguez had been tentatively identified as a suspect within days of the crash. After an extensive investigation, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office approved charges of felony hit-and-run and homicide last week. A warrant was issued on October 10.

Rodriguez’s company, Silvercrest Advertising, has been a major presence in the Coachella Valley, sponsoring high-profile events including the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Pride Equality Walk.

Rodriguez is expected to make his first court appearance Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.