PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The El Dorado County Grand Jury has returned a murder indictment against 35-year-old Cheyanne Wright in connection with a fatal head-on collision that occurred May 3, 2025, in El Dorado Hills, according to prosecutors.
The indictment, filed March 25, 2026, stems from a crash on Green Valley Road near Silva Valley Parkway that left one person dead and three others seriously injured. Wright is scheduled to be arraigned April 3 in Department 1 of the El Dorado County Superior Court in Placerville.
Crash Details
According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately 7:50 a.m. when a 2023 Dodge Charger traveling eastbound drifted off the roadway and struck a raised asphalt curb. Investigators said the vehicle then re-entered traffic, crossed double yellow lines, and collided head-on with a westbound Toyota Camry.
Emergency crews were dispatched minutes later, arriving shortly after 7:54 a.m.
Victim and Injuries
The driver of the Camry, identified as 84-year-old Joan Allison of Cameron Park, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wright, who was 34 at the time of the crash, and two child passengers — ages 7 and 3 — sustained major injuries and were transported to UC Davis Medical Center for treatment.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
The grand jury indictment includes multiple felony counts:
- Murder
- Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
- DUI causing injury
- Two counts of child endangerment
Prosecutors allege Wright was driving under the influence at the time of the crash. The murder charge reflects what is known as “implied malice,” a legal standard often applied in DUI cases when a driver is aware of the risks of impaired driving but proceeds anyway.
El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson described the incident as a preventable tragedy.
“This was a devastating and entirely preventable tragedy,” Pierson said in a statement, adding that the case underscores the consequences of impaired driving.
The case is being handled by the District Attorney’s Felony DUI Unit, which receives specialized support through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
Wright’s arraignment is scheduled for Friday, April 3, where she is expected to enter a plea. If convicted, she could face significant prison time under California law.
Authorities continue to emphasize the dangers of driving under the influence, particularly in cases involving passengers and high-speed roadway conditions.
