Man, 36, Killed in Palm Springs Crash; Andrew Watson Hibbard Arrested
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (Dec. 28, 2021) — Leon Reynoso, 36, of Chula Vista, died Monday night in a multi-vehicle Palm Springs crash at North Palm Canyon and Alejo Road.
Police arrested Andrew Watson Hibbard, 41, of Portland, Oregon, on murder charges following the 5-vehicle collision at the Palm Springs intersection.
The deadly crash happened about 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 27th and left seven injured, according to the Riverside County Sheriff Coroner.
Also, emergency medical personnel treated four of them including Leon Reynoso at local hospitals. Sadly, the motorist later died at Desert Regional Medical Center, the coroner’s office said. One other person suffered major injuries in the wreck.
Repeat DUI Driver Arrested; Faces Murder Charges
Andrew Hibbard faces multiple charges including murder, gross vehicular manslaughter involving intoxication and DUI causing bodily injury, according to Riverside County jail records. He remains in jail in lieu of $2 million bail.
Police issued an alert at 5:42 p.m. and closed down the roadway due to the collision.
Investigators say Hibbard was driving a conversion van southbound on North Palm Canyon Drive. Hibbard was allegedly speeding prior to hitting the back of a Tesla, witnesses told police. The car was stopped behind three other vehicles for a red traffic light at the Palm Springs intersection.
Upon impact, Hibbard’s vehicle pushed the Tesla driven by Leon Reynoso forward into another vehicle and set off a chain reaction crash.
Driver Previously Drove Drunk
Hibbard was previously arrested in Palm Springs for a DUI in 2008. He served five days in jail before being released on three years of probation, according to Riverside County court records.
Additionally, Hibbard plead guilty to a DUI in 2006 in Multnomah County, Oregon, court records show. He completed a diversion program and authorities dismissed his conviction in 2008.
Meanwhile, family members of Reynoso set up a GoFundMe page to cover his funeral expenses.
Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Furthermore, our law firm does not intend to represent those mentioned in the article. If you would like to contribute any information or have legal questions, please contact us as soon as possible. Our law firm is a longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
- Fatal Crash Highway 65, Highway 155 Near Delano, Kern County - April 16, 2024
- Estella Andino Killed in Hit-and-run Crash Ming Avenue, P Street - April 16, 2024
- Fatal Antioch Crash 10th Street, Auto Center Drive in Contra Costa County - April 16, 2024
