The Los Angeles Times ran this story yesterday:
Widow of 'Singing Cowboy' Gene Autry kills pedestrian while driving in Palm Springs
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Jackie Autry struck 50-year-old Jesus Cardova Diaz as she was driving on Sunrise Way, north of Ramon Road, said Det. Steve Woodward, a traffic investigator with the Palm Springs Police Department.
Diaz was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he later died, Woodward said.
Diaz, who was believed to be homeless, was not in a crosswalk when he was struck. Autry was not cited and did not undergo a blood alcohol test because it was clear she was not under the influence, Woodward said.
Investigators were awaiting autopsy results to see if Diaz was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.While I think it is important to not make judgements regarding culpability in these sorts of events, since I was not there and do not know all the facts, some of the letters and comments showed that the old class war is in full swing. Some of the commenters' toady and obsequious tone illustrates the effect that wealth and privilege obviously have on our judgements. And conversely many people are willing to hang her as well for being a rich, white lady. Anyway some really good snark here.
While it is very tragic that a homeless person was killed, it is highly probable that he was unemployed and an addict of some sort, so drug testing for him is more than reasonable given the totality of the circumstances.
What is missing from this report is at what time did the accident occur and were there any witnesses. I can almost guarantee you that a person of Ms. Autry's class and status would not intentionally run over a homeless person. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Autry family and the Diaz family.
Lisa Byer's USC '81
By "it was clear she wasn't under the influence" they meant to say she was a rich, white lady.
Posted by: Jess
I just hope that the damage to Jackie's car was minimal and she is not too inconvenienced during the time it takes to get it repaired. The dead guy's family should be forced to pay for those repairs and kick in a little extra for the inconvenience.
Posted by: Caring Compassionate Progressive
Rich white people don't mean to hurt the homeless, they just get in the way.
Posted by: Jack Meoph
Check his residency status as well, and then save some money on the investigation...
Posted by: Bruce
I lived in Palm Springs for three years, and in fact, near the area where Mr. Ramos was killed. Many of the streets in this area and other areas of Palm Springs do not have sidewalks, let alone crosswalks. There's the road, and sand on the side of the road. You either slog through sand or walk on the edge of the road. Personally, I preferred to walk on the edge of the road. I seriously doubt that you can say Mr. Ramos was walking illegally in the street. I would say human life has the right of way sidewalk / crosswalk or not...
Posted by: Cliff
Why all the outrage ? ..... Jackie did society a favor, Jesus is in a better (hope!) place, CA taxpayers save a little money, crime rate in Palm Springs goes down a smidge....that's called a win win people !
Posted by: Buffaloes R the new PAC-12 Doormat
Did she run him over with the Cadillac, the Bentley or the Jag?
How come she didn't appear to be under the influence?
I drove once a Bentley and I felt instantly intoxicated!
Posted by: Martini | November 30, 2010 at 04:27 PM
Hey, can I shoot someone and have their corpse's criminal record checked?
My husband pays more taxes than some people, so they owe me!
Posted by: Hm
Cops only investigate for intoxication if they have reason to-nothing to do with wealth or race. The woman was clearly not drunk-she was going the speed limit and hit a person breaking the law by jaywalking.
Posted by: Amalgamate