The Mendocino Voice | Mendocino County, CA (https://mendovoice.com/tag/crime/)
Officers from the California Highway Patrol and California State Parks personnel responded within 13 minutes, according to Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
There were three people in the suspect vehicle at the time of the crash. None of them were wearing seatbelts, and a passenger died.
Chief Lizarraga said a “communications breakdown” occurred, but officers should have arrived sooner. One suspect has been taken into custody, but officers are still investigating the extent of his involvement.
Bail has been reduced from $1 million to $800K and Judge Keith Faulder has recused himself from the case.
Sharon Kathleen Smith was originally charged with two felonies, but pleaded no contest Wednesday to a misdemeanor and was ordered released by the court. Codefendant Charles Maxfield evaded arrest during the initial investigation and has an active warrant.
