A Hemet woman with two previous convictions for driving under the influence was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday, Nov. 24, after authorities said she again was illegally impaired and caused a collision that killed a Murrieta resident.

Erica Pearl Machuca, 33, also was accused of driving under the influence with a 0.08 blood-alcohol level or higher causing injury, and driving under the influence causing injury. She was being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $1 million bail. She had not been charged as of Wednesday.

Debra Amicay, 56, died in the crash that happened just after 9 p.m. on Palomar Street near Clinton Keith Road in Wildomar.

The other driver was hospitalized in critical condition.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department would

See Full Page