We have more information about a Joshua Tree man who was arrested Wednesday, accused of felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence. According to the CHP, about 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, Brian Barnett, 38, was driving a 2003 Ford F-350 westbound on Highway 62 in the number 1 lane at a high rate of speed. Directly ahead of him, also heading westbound, was a 1999 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Gina Difabio, 51, of Yucaipa. As the vehicles neared Yucca Mesa Road in Yucca Valley, Barnett crashed into the rear of the Wrangler. A passenger in Difabio’s Wrangler, John Linton, 57, also of Yucaipa, was injured in the crash. Barnett fled on foot into the desert because the crash made his truck inoperable. A passer-by pointed out to law enforcement where Barnett had gone. A Sheriff’s deputy found Barnett, who asked the deputy for a ride home. Instead, the deputy drove him back to the scene of the crash. Brian Barnett was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, driving under the influence, and driving under the influence causing injury. Barnett was booked into the West Valley Detention Center, with his bail set at $100,000.
