NO CHARGES FOR BABY-KILLER?

Epileptics are not supposed to drive. Police coverup of details does not inspire confidence

No charges will be filed against a motorist whose vehicle struck and killed a 6-month-old girl outside a Longs Drugs store in Auburn last summer. The Placer County District Attorney's Office made the decision in the case involving Douglas Scott Jones, 43, of Auburn, who on Aug. 24 lost control of his sport-utility vehicle, hitting a baby stroller carrying Paige Luthi of Colfax. The baby's 28-year-old uncle and his 10-year-old daughter also were hit by Jones' Toyota 4Runner and suffered injuries.

Steve Dragland, supervising deputy district attorney, said his office could not go forward with prosecution against Jones. "It was a horrible tragedy," he said Friday, "But it was not a prosecutable criminal case." Elaine Luthi, the baby's mother, declined to comment.

The District Attorney's Office reviewed the case for months after receiving a 30-page report about the accident from the California Highway Patrol. "We could find no evidence of malice or bad judgment or speeding or reckless driving on the part of Mr. Jones," Dragland said. He would not discuss Jones' medical history.

Shortly after the accident in the Auburn Village shopping center at Highway 49 and New Airport Road, several witnesses said it appeared Jones may have had a medical problem while driving. A day after the accident, CHP Officer Maury Kane said Jones' mother told investigators that her son had a 30-year history of epilepsy.

Acting on CHP recommendations, the state Department of Motor Vehicles suspended Jones' driver's license pending a medical review. The license remains suspended, the CHP said.

Report here



(And don't forget your ration of Wicked Thoughts for today)