Street Racing Believed to be Cause of Collision That Killed Two

Staff Writer

Tuesday, May 21st, 2019

COACHELLA, Calif. – An illegal street racer was arrested for causing a traffic collision leading to the death of an elderly Coachella couple.

On Friday, May 17, 2018, at around 6:54 p.m., police and emergency medical personnel responded to the area of Grapefruit Boulevard and Mitchel Drive, for the report of a traffic collision. When police arrived they located the badly damaged vehicles and three people suffering with major injuries. Jose Prieto, 75, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His wife, Sofia Prieto, 74, was pronounced deceased at the local hospital. Another male was transported to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.

Through investigation it was learned that that street racing was likely a factor in the collision. The following day, Estavan Jesus Donato, 27, of Coachella was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and booked at the Indio Jail.

The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact, Officer McCoy at 760-863-8990 or Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867)