A 17-year-old driver from Rohnert Park has been arrested and booked into juvenile hall following a tragic crash that claimed the life of a passenger.
Per the Marin Independent Journal, Novato police say the teen was cleared by medical staff on Monday to face charges including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony DUI. The April 11th accident occurred when the vehicle, carrying five local youths, slammed into a utility pole on San Marin Drive.
Authorities identified alcohol and high speed as primary factors in the collision, which led to the death of student Niko Vargas-Ortiz. Over the weekend, the Rohnert Park community mourned the loss with a vigil of about 100 students at Rancho Cotate High School.
The case has now been forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney’s office for formal review.
