Crime & Safety
Newport Man Arrested in Drunk-Driving-Fatality Case
Police say James Coley was behind the wheel of the car that struck and killed pedestrian Lourdes Jauregui near Palm Springs over the weekend.
Police say a Newport Beach man who was drinking at a bar in Palm Springs was arrested over the weekend for allegedly running a woman over with his car.
James Coley, 49, was taken into custody Saturday by Cathedral City police for a misdemeanor count of suspicion of driving under the influence, according to Lt. Chuck Robinson. Lourdes Jauregui, 39, of Cathedral City, was killed after she was hit by a sedan about 1:45 a.m. while walking on Date Palm Drive, near Gerald Ford Drive, according to the Riverside County coroner's office.
"He did admit to having some drinks that evening," Robinson said. "He was held at our station until he sobered up."
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Jauregui was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
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