Crime & Safety
Man Accused In Deadly Hemet DUI Crash Pleads Not Guilty
Second-degree murder charges were filed against Jesus Ernesto Rios for the Dec. 12 deaths of Dane Adkins-Radford and Emily Hale, both 21.
BANNING, CA — A 33-year-old convicted felon accused of slamming his BMW into a subcompact car at a Hemet intersection while drunk, killing two young women and seriously injuring a third, pleaded not guilty Thursday to second-degree murder charges.
Jesus Ernesto Rios of Downey was arrested immediately after the Dec. 12 crash that fatally injured Hemet residents Dane Adkins-Radford and Emily Hale, both 21, and left their friend, Alyssa Salas, with life-threatening injuries.
In addition to the murder counts, Rios is charged with felony driving under the influence and a sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegation.
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He was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Hollenhorst, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for April 13 at the Banning Justice Center. The defendant is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
According to Hemet police Sgt. Dan Reinbolt, the victims were stopped on eastbound Florida Avenue at Kirby Street in a Honda Fit, waiting for a red traffic signal to change about 4 a.m., when Rios came upon the Honda and "without braking," slammed his BMW 535i sports sedan into the rear of the compact car.
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"Rios allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot, but a witness prevented his escape," the sergeant said.
Hemet Fire Department paramedics arrived within a few minutes and discovered Adkins-Radford dead, with Hale clinging to life and Salas suffering major injuries. She and Hale were taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where Hale died less than an hour later. Salas, of Hemet, is recovering.
Reinbolt said patrol officers quickly determined the defendant, who was not hurt, was allegedly inebriated and took him into custody.
According to court records, Rios has prior convictions for felony vandalism, brandishing a deadly weapon and driving under the influence.
Under California law, a convicted DUI offender who is aware of the risks of drinking and driving and then causes someone's death because of it can be charged with murder.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover funeral and medical expenses for the families.
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