Hit-and-Run Suspect is a Third Time DUI Offender

Police have arrested the hit-and-run suspect accused of killing a Desert Hot Springs man Saturday night. The suspect, 39-year-old Michael Bettasso of Yucca Valley, is a two-time DUI offender. He fled the scene of the crash on Indian Canyon Drive, but witnesses identified him the following day and he was arrested.

Bettasso has been charged with several felonies, including murder, drunken driving causing injury, and hit-and-run causing death or injury. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his initial hearing on Thursday.

Police say the hit-and-run suspect was headed north on Indian Canyon Drive around 7:30 p.m. Saturday when he struck the pedestrian and fled. Bettasso’s prior drunken driving convictions in Riverside County occurred in 2004 and 2013.

“This tragedy is a grim reminder that one-third of people who are arrested for DUI are repeat offenders. We hope to see justice served in this case,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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