A 30-year-old driver who allegedly intentionally ran down a man in Thousand Palms and fled the scene is set to be formally charged Wednesday with murder.
Erick Robert Cowdery of Palm Desert is accused of striking the victim around 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Varner and Ramon roads, according to a statement from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Cowdery is expected to be charged during his arraignment Wednesday afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
California Highway Patrol officers determined the victim was struck intentionally, and turned the investigation over to sheriff’s deputies, sheriff’s officials said.
The victim was identified as a 48-year-old Desert Hot Springs resident, Robert Ernest Rodriguez. KESQ reported that Rodriguez was riding a motorcycle when he was struck, and bystanders restrained Cowdery, who attempted the flee the scene, until authorities arrived.
Cowdery was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of murder.
Anyone with information was encouraged to contact Investigator Cline with the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Munoz with the Palm Desert Station at 760-836-1600.