Silvercrest CEO Faces Arraignment in Year-Old Fatal Hit-and-Run Case Today

William Frank Rodriguez, the 43-year-old CEO of Silvercrest Advertising, is scheduled to appear Wednesday morning at the Larson Justice Center in Indio for arraignment on felony hit-and-run and homicide charges stemming from a fatal crash that killed a Cathedral City woman more than a year ago.

Rodriguez was arrested on Monday and remains in custody without bail at the John J. Benoit Detention Center.

The Incident

On October 11, 2024, 60-year-old Christina Barrington was riding her scooter eastbound on East Palm Canyon Drive near Bankside Drive when she was struck from behind by a black 2021 Porsche traveling at 65 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone, according to investigators.

Police say the driver dragged the scooter approximately 1,400 feet before fleeing the scene. Barrington died the following day at Desert Regional Medical Center. Her dog, which was also injured in the crash, survived and was reunited with family.

Prior DUI Conviction

Court documents reveal Rodriguez was convicted of driving under the influence in Los Angeles County in 2013 and received a Watson advisement—a legal warning that driving under the influence again could result in a murder charge if a death occurs. His driver's license was suspended following that conviction and was never reinstated.

Evidence in the Case

According to court documents, surveillance video from the night of the crash shows Rodriguez drinking at multiple venues in Palm Springs, including the bars Dick's and Quadz. Video reportedly shows him stumbling as he left the last bar minutes before the crash occurred.

Authorities also say Rodriguez spent the weekend following the incident in Las Vegas, where he was seen consuming alcohol.

Cathedral City Police identified Rodriguez as a suspect within days of the crash. After more than a year of investigation, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office approved charges last week, and an arrest warrant was issued on October 10.

Rodriguez's company has sponsored high-profile Coachella Valley events, including the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Pride Equality Walk.

We will have more on Wednesday’s court appearance tonight on NBC Palm Springs at 5 and 6, so stay tuned for that.