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Friday afternoon the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced they have charged a drunk driver with gross vehicular manslaughter in the death of 21-year-old Connor Penhall. Penhall was working on a closed portion of the San Bernardino (10) Freeway in Baldwin Park late Wednesday night when he was fatally struck by a driver who had lost control of his vehicle.
The driver, 37-year-old Tatsuhiko Sakamoto of Arcadia, is also being charged with DUI causing injury, driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol causing injury and a special allegation of causing great bodily injury, says the DA's office. Sakamoto is being held on $200,000 bail.
Penhall, the son of actor and motorcycle champ Bruce Penhall, was thrown an estimated 50 to 75 feet when Sakamoto hit him with his vehicle. Penhall was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sakamoto is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at Pomona Superior Court. If convicted, Sakamoto faces up to 10 years in state prison.
UPDATE April 9, 2012: Arraignment for Sakamoto is now scheduled for April 26, according to CNS. Sakamoto was released from jail late Sunday, April 8, after posting $300,000 bail.
