The daughter of a 60-year-old woman killed in a 2024 hit-and-run crash has filed a lawsuit against the CEO accused of being at the wheel, his company, and the city of Cathedral City.
The lawsuit alleges Palm Springs-based Silvercrest Advertising bears responsibility for CEO William Frank Rodriguez's driving and that the city failed to adequately light the roadway where the crash occurred.
The 45-page lawsuit, most recently amended June 12, was filed by Christiana Lewis, the daughter of Christina Barrington, in Riverside County Superior Court. The filing was earlier reported by KESQ.
Rodriguez, who founded Silvercrest, has also been charged with murder in Barrington's death. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $2 million bail in October 2025.
His preliminary hearing in the criminal case, which is separate from the lawsuit, is scheduled for Aug. 31.
Cathedral City spokesperson Ryan Hunt told The Desert Sun the city does not comment on pending litigation. Rodriguez and Silvercrest officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the lawsuit Friday, Aug. 7.
How the fatal hit-and-run unfolded
Officers with the Cathedral City Police Department were dispatched to the area of East Palm Canyon Drive and Bankside Drive shortly before 1 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, where they found Barrington west of of Bankside Drive with significant injuries.
Police said a vehicle struck her scooter from behind as she traveled east, throwing her off and dragging the scooter about 1,400 feet toward the intersection of East Palm Canyon Drive and Cathedral Canyon Drive before the driver fled.
Barrington was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where she died from her injuries the following day.
Police later identified Rodriguez as the driver of the black 2021 Porsche that struck Barrington. Investigators said he had spent the evening drinking at the Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, as well as two bars in downtown Palm Springs, before the crash.
What the lawsuit alleges
The lawsuit alleges Rodriguez was acting "within the course and scope" of his employment with Silvercrest when the crash occurred, that his work required him to operate a vehicle and that the Porsche had previously been used for company business.
Silvercrest describes itself on its website as "delivering sophisticated marketing and media solutions for brands," and says it serves more than 200 clients. In the last few years, Silvercrest had generated new attention for itself by becoming a major sponsor of multiple big-name events and organizations in the Coachella Valley, including at Acrisure Arena, Greater Palm Springs Pride and the Palm Springs International Film Festival. The film festival has cut its ties with Silvercrest.
It also alleges Silvercrest knew or should have known he was unfit to drive, though the complaint does not specify why.
Lewis separately alleges Cathedral City failed to address "inadequate lighting" along the stretch of East Palm Canyon Drive where her mother was struck, "creating a hidden danger, hazard, and extreme risk of danger for persons driving in the subject area at night." Her complaint also alleges there were were no signs warning drivers about the poor lighting.
She alleges the city knew or should have known about the lighting conditions, or could have discovered it through reasonable inspections, and failed to correct the problem or warn drivers.
Lewis is seeking economic and noneconomic damages related to her mother's death, including funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for the loss of financial support, household services and companionship.
She is also asking for an unspecified amount in punitive damages.
Previous reporting by Tom Coulter and Paul Albani-Burgio was used in this story.
Jennifer Cortez covers education and breaking news in The Desert Sun. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Family sues over Palm Springs CEO's alleged killing of woman in crash
