Officer Accused in Fatal DUI Crash Killing Palm Springs Employee [Riverside County, CA]

Riverside County, CA (JAN 11, 2025)- An off-duty police trainee, Juliana Leigh Granados, has been accused of causing a fatal DUI crash that claimed the life of Nicholas Griego, a 31-year-old Community Services Officer with the Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD). Granados, 25, pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges including second-degree murder and DUI gross vehicular manslaughter.

The tragic incident occurred on Thanksgiving when Granados, allegedly under the influence, reportedly drove her pickup truck into the rear of Griego’s motorcycle at the intersection of Cathedral Canyon and East Palm Canyon drives in Cathedral City. Emergency responders arrived quickly but pronounced Griego, a father of one, dead at the scene.

Granados, a resident of Cathedral City, was questioned at the crash site but not immediately arrested. Following weeks of investigation, Cathedral City police gathered sufficient evidence to secure a criminal complaint, leading to her arrest on Wednesday. She is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

During her arraignment, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Arthur Hester set a felony settlement conference for January 22 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Meanwhile, the Palm Springs Police Department announced that Granados has been suspended without pay, pending the results of an internal investigation.

PSPD Chief Andy Mills expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Griego, calling the incident a “heartbreaking loss” and vowing swift action in response to the tragedy. Details about Granados’ activities before the collision and her background with the department remain undisclosed.

Compensation at Stake for the Victim’s Family

The family of Nicholas Griego faces profound emotional and financial challenges following this tragic loss. Compensation in such cases often includes funeral and burial costs, loss of income, emotional distress, and loss of companionship. For families like Griego’s, securing these damages is a matter of justice and a vital step toward rebuilding their lives.

How Text Kevin Accident Attorneys by Crockett Law Can Help

At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys by Crockett Law, we specialize in representing victims and their families in DUI-related crashes. Our experienced legal team understands the complexities of these cases and works tirelessly to ensure families receive the compensation they deserve. We take pride in handling every aspect of your case with care and professionalism, from negotiating with insurance companies to pursuing legal action when necessary.

Our law firm extends our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of the victims who are mourning the loss of their loved ones. It’s important to have experienced wrongful death lawyers on your side when losing a loved one in a car accident. Call us at 1-888-965-3827 for a free and confidential case evaluation. You can reach us 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by phone, text, and online chat. For one-on-one consultation, you are free to visit our office.

Note: Our law office relies on external sources for the content of this post. Although we aim for accuracy, we have not independently verified all facts related to this incident. Please notify Crockett Law Group for corrections if you identify any inaccuracies. Posts will be removed upon request.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for business. The information contained herein is not intended to offer legal or medical advice. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident, it is recommended to seek immediate medical assistance. The photo featured in this post was not taken at the actual scene of the accident.

Source: MY NEWS LA

The map below shows the intersection of Cathedral Canyon and East Palm Canyon drives, where the unfortunate accident happened