Woman with Multiple DUIs on Trial for Deadly Crash

Feb 17,2017

A woman convicted of multiple DUIs is being tried in Banning court for causing a fatal crash in Desert Hot Springs in 2014. On June 5, 2014, 37-year-old Monica Hernandez Benavidez was driving south on Palm Drive near Camino Campanero when she swerved into the southbound lane and crashed head-on into an oncoming vehicle.

The crash killed 65-year-old Maria Soto Caballero and seriously injured two others. Benavidez also suffered serious injuries in the collision. According to prosecutors, Benavidez had a 0.21% blood-alcohol content when she caused the crash.

The drunk driving suspect pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI in Cathedral City 2006 and 2012. In 2008, she pleaded guilty to driving on a suspended license. In 2013, she was again charged with DUI and driving with a suspended license in Cathedral City. She was on probation when she caused the fatal 2014 crash.

Mother Says Daughter with Multiple DUIs Should Have been Jailed

Shortly after the crash occurred, Benavidez’s mother, Dahlia Benavidez, spoke out against the Cathedral City Police Department. She claimed her daughter should have been behind bars. She said the police department should have done more to keep Benavidez from getting behind the wheel again.

The multiple DUI offender faces charges of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, drunken driving causing injury and driving on a suspended license.

“Someone with this extensive history of drunk driving should have never had the opportunity to be behind the wheel” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.