A seventeen-year-old Rohnert Park boy will appear in Marin County Superior Court on May 13th following a high-speed crash that killed classmate Niko Vargas Ortiz.
The Press Democrat reports Judge James Chou issued the order Monday, though officials have not confirmed if the teen will be charged as an adult or what specific charges he faces. The suspect, who is currently monitored by an ankle bracket, was arrested last week after the April 11th collision that left four other teenagers seriously injured.
The tragedy has devastated the Rancho Cotate High School community, occurring just hours after students participated in a drunk-driving awareness program. While proceedings remain partially confidential due to the suspect’s age, the move to Superior Court suggests the case involves serious allegations of violent crime.
District officials are continuing to provide support for grieving students as the legal process moves forward.
