Charges against deputy suggested
The California Highway Patrol is recommending that criminal charges be filed against a sheriff’s deputy who killed two cyclists after crashing his patrol car into a group of them.
The CHP report came after a monthlong investigation into the incident, and says Santa Clara County prosecutors should file two charges of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter against Deputy James Council, 27.
Council was on patrol March 9 when his car smashed into a group of bicyclists on a training ride. Matt Peterson, 29, and Kristy Gough, 30, died.
If convicted, Council could serve up to two years in prison. The report’s conclusions show that CHP investigators do not believe the deputy is guilty of gross negligence such as drunken driving, a felony charge carrying much harsher penalties.
The Santa Clara County district attorney’s office is reviewing the report and will decide whether to file charges.
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