News Summary
William Frank Rodriguez, founder of Silvercrest Advertising, was arrested for his alleged role in a hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of Christina Barrington, 60. The incident occurred when Rodriguez, driving a Porsche, struck Barrington while she was on her scooter. Following the collision, he reportedly fled the scene, leaving Barrington severely injured. Authorities have charged him with murder and other offenses. Rodriguez has a history of DUI convictions and is currently in custody awaiting arraignment.
Cathedral City, California
William Frank Rodriguez, 43, the CEO and founder of Silvercrest Advertising, was arrested on October 14, 2025, for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of 60-year-old Christina Barrington. The crash occurred on October 11, 2024, just after midnight in Cathedral City, when Barrington was struck while riding a scooter.
Rodriguez is charged with murder, hit-and-run leading to death, and driving with a suspended license, stemming from the events that transpired on that fateful night. Reports indicate that he was driving a black 2021 Porsche at a speed of 65 MPH in a 45 MPH zone when he collided with Barrington. After the impact, Rodriguez allegedly continued driving, dragging Barrington’s scooter for approximately 1,400 feet before leaving the scene.
Emergency responders found Barrington on the roadway, where she had been ejected from her scooter. She was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead the following day. Barrington’s dog, which was injured in the crash, survived and has since been reunited with family members.
Authorities investigated the incident, which included analyzing surveillance footage. Rodriguez was seen stumbling out of a Palm Springs bar just ten minutes before the collision. Following the crash, he reportedly returned home at a high rate of speed without reporting the incident. Instead, he allegedly told co-workers that his car had been stolen and wrecked. Over the weekend following the crash, Rodriguez traveled to Las Vegas, where he was observed consuming alcoholic beverages, including champagne.
Rodriguez has a prior DUI conviction from 2013, which resulted in a suspended license at the time of the accident. Following a thorough investigation, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office approved filing charges against him based on the evidence collected.
Rodriguez is currently being held at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio, with bail set. He is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Authorities are actively encouraging anyone with further information related to the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in ensuring justice is served.
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Additional Resources
- Desert Sun: Silvercrest CEO Arrested
- NBC Palm Springs: Silvercrest CEO Arrested in Fatal Hit-and-Run
- KESQ: Silvercrest CEO Founder Arrested
- Wikipedia: Hit-and-run
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hit-and-run
