Silvercrest CEO Pleads Not Guilty to Murder in 2024 Hit-and-Run Case

Silvercrest CEO William Frank Rodriguez appeared at the Larson Justice Center in Indio on Wednesday, pleading not guilty to multiple felony charges, including murder, hit-and-run resulting in bodily injury, and driving with a suspended license.

Prosecutors say the charges stem from an incident on October 11, 2024, when 60-year-old Christina Barrington was struck and killed while riding her moped with her dog on East Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City. According to law enforcement, after the collision, Rodriguez allegedly dragged the scooter for roughly 1,400 feet before leaving the scene and driving home.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office argued that Rodriguez had no intention of turning himself in, saying he fled security after being contacted at Acrisure Arena before his arrest Monday morning. The prosecution urged the court to deny bail, however Judge Dean Benjamini, set bail at $2 million, imposing several conditions — including no alcohol use, no driving even with a valid license, and no travel outside California. Rodriguez has also surrendered his passport.

Rodriguez’s attorney, David Greenberg, emphasized his client’s limited criminal history, noting only a single nonviolent misdemeanor from over a decade ago. The defense maintains Rodriguez’s innocence, saying he intends to fully cooperate with the court process. Rodriguez's next bail hearing is set for October 24th.