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Community Corner

Charges in Latest Hit-and-Run Case of Death on Lakeville Highway

A Rohnert Park resident was charged with Vehicular Manslaughter on Thursday in the latest of a series of hit-and-run accidents in recent months.

 

Michael Scott Harmon, 41, was arraigned in Sonoma County Superior Court Thursday afternoon on charges in connection with the crash death of an American Canyon teen on Lakeville Highway early on Monday.

It's the most recent court action in a number of vehicular accidents with hit-and-run drivers - several of them from Rohnert Park.

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On June 8, SSU retired professor was hit from behind by the rear-view mirror of a pickup truck, whose driver continued on his way for his daily business. Robert Cowart, 68, of Rohnert Park, has been charged.

Near Geyserville on Pine Flat Road, a professional distance cyclist in training, Michael Torckler, was struck by a hit-and-run driver and severly injured. Another Rohnert Park man, Arthur Ben Yu, 36, in that case.

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In this most recent case, Harmon, also of Rohnert Park, did not enter a plea. Charges are felony hit-and-run causing injury or death, felony vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and an infraction alleging he was driving without insurance. His next court date is July 16.

Deputy District Attorney Jane Murray said Harmon admitted the hit-and-run, and to using drugs and alcohol before the crash.

Harmon is being held under no bail in the Sonoma County jail for allegedly violating his probation for possession of methamphetamine. His bail on the felony charges is $100,000.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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