Driver, Not at Fault, May Be Charged

Though he wasn’t at fault in the accident, a 58-year-old Costa Mesa man may be charged this week with vehicular manslaughter after his 88-year-old mother died in a Thanksgiving crash, officials said Saturday.

Anthony Peterson was driving his mother, Agnes Peterson, down Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana on Thanksgiving Day when another car turned in front of them.

The men who were in the other car fled. Agnes Peterson died shortly after the crash.

Under California law, according to Santa Ana Police Sgt. Raul Luna, Peterson can be charged with vehicular manslaughter even though he was not at fault in the accident.

Though officials would not reveal the results of a preliminary blood-alcohol test, they said Peterson had been drinking.

Under state law, if Agnes Peterson’s death was even a “proximate result of the commission of a nonlawful act,” her son can be charged with manslaughter, Luna said.

Anthony Peterson was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter and was out of jail under $50,000 bond by Saturday.

The Orange County district attorney’s office will decide, probably this week, whether he will be formally charged or not, Luna said.

Investigators are still collecting evidence, such as information about how fast Peterson was driving at the time of the accident.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” Luna said.

“The D.A.’s office may amend, modify or delete the charges when they review all of the evidence.”