The reality television community is reeling tonight after shocking news emerged from California that has left Below Deck Mediterranean fans stunned and heartbroken. William “Billy” Rodriguez, the advertising CEO who appeared as a charter guest on Seasons 7 and 8 of Bravo’s hit yachting series, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a fatal hit and run collision that claimed the life of 60 year old Christina Barrington.
This isn’t the kind of headline anyone expects to read about someone who once graced their television screens, living the luxurious charter yacht lifestyle that Below Deck fans have come to love. But the allegations paint a deeply troubling picture that has sent shockwaves through both the reality TV world and the Coachella Valley business community.
The Tragic Night That Changed Everything
The incident occurred on October 11, 2024, when Rodriguez allegedly struck Barrington, who was riding a scooter, with his black 2021 Porsche in Cathedral City, California. Barrington tragically died the following day. But it’s the details surrounding that night that make this case even more devastating.
According to court documents, hours before the collision, surveillance video shows Rodriguez visiting two bars on Arenas Road shortly after leaving an Eric Clapton concert at Acrisure Arena. Authorities say he allegedly drove 65 mph in a 45 mph zone before fleeing the scene, dragging the scooter nearly 1,400 feet. The image of that scene is almost too horrific to process.
What happened next is equally disturbing. Rodriguez reportedly left for Las Vegas the next day, where surveillance showed him holding alcoholic drinks. Police say he never reported the collision and told coworkers that his car had been stolen and wrecked.
The Charges and Legal Battle Ahead
Rodriguez, now 47 years old, faces serious charges that could alter the course of his life forever. He has been charged with felony murder, felony hit and run resulting in death, and misdemeanor driving without a license. The murder charge itself was later amended to first degree murder, elevating the severity of the case.
Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to all charges and was represented by attorney David Greenberg during his court proceedings. After his arrest last week, he was released on October 16 after posting a $2 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 24 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
During his bail hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that Rodriguez had a previous 2013 DUI conviction and a history of continuing to drive on a suspended license, with prosecutors noting he registered vehicles in his name despite lacking legal driving privileges. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office had argued against bail entirely, but Judge Dean Benjamini granted bail with strict conditions: Rodriguez must abstain from drinking alcohol, driving, and traveling out of state.
Rodriguez is also accused of attempting to flee from authorities at Acrisure Arena when investigators tried to make contact with him earlier this month, though his attorney disputes this claim.
From Reality TV Luxury to Criminal Charges
For Below Deck Mediterranean fans, Billy Rodriguez was a familiar face who appeared in two seasons of the show. His appearances were memorable, though not always for the right reasons.
Billy’s appearance during Season 7 was notable due to the yacht losing power to its stabilizers and Captain Sandy’s infamous inflatable slide being held up in customs during the charter. When he returned for Season 8, Captain Sandy Yawn didn’t mince words about his previous experience. When asked during the preference sheet meeting how Billy’s previous charter went, she answered bluntly: “Not good.”
During Season 8, Captain Sandy noted that Billy would be joined by his fiancé, Chris, and their six closest friends, as they hoped for a charter with working stabilizers and that elusive slide.
The Man Behind the Headlines
Rodriguez is the cofounder and CEO of Silvercrest Advertising, a company specializing in automated marketing platforms for major franchise brands. The company has long been a prominent corporate name in the Coachella Valley, known for its sponsorships of major venues and events, including Acrisure Arena, and for its generous donations to local charities and community initiatives.
But now, in the wake of the charges, several organizations have already distanced themselves from Silvercrest, citing reputational concerns, while others are adopting a wait and see approach as the legal process unfolds.
A Community Mourns
At the heart of this tragedy is Christina Barrington, a 60 year old woman whose life was cut short that October night. She was simply riding her scooter, going about her evening, when everything changed in an instant. Barrington and her dog were struck from behind, a detail that makes this loss even more heartbreaking.
Cathedral City police identified Rodriguez as a tentative suspect within days of the incident but did not issue a warrant until late last week, nearly a year after the collision occurred.
What This Means Moving Forward
If convicted of all charges, Rodriguez faces a lengthy prison sentence that could effectively end the life he once knew. The reality TV appearances, the successful business, the luxury lifestyle all of it now hangs in the balance as the legal system takes its course.
This case serves as a sobering reminder that the glamorous lives we see on reality television don’t tell the whole story. Behind the yacht charters and champagne toasts are real people who make real choices, and sometimes those choices have devastating, irreversible consequences.
As the Below Deck Mediterranean community processes this news, our hearts go out to Christina Barrington’s family and loved ones, who are living through an unimaginable nightmare. This tragedy has touched so many lives, from the victim’s family to the business community in Palm Springs to the reality TV fans who once watched Rodriguez enjoy carefree days on the Mediterranean Sea.
Rodriguez maintains his innocence, and the legal process will ultimately determine his fate. But one thing is certain: nothing will ever bring Christina Barrington back, and that sobering reality is what makes this story so profoundly tragic.
The reality TV world watches and waits as this case unfolds, hoping for justice for Christina Barrington and answers for everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident.
