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The Pleasanton Police Department closed the books earlier this summer on the investigation into a February fatal traffic collision without seeking criminal charges after determining the Dublin man who died was at fault for walking unsafely in the roadway, the Weekly has learned.
In a series of interviews in recent days, police officials confirmed the conclusion of their nearly four-month probe into the crash on Johnson Drive that killed pedestrian Michael B. Watson on the night of Feb. 19.
“No charges were filed against the driver. The investigation determined Watson was found to be at fault in the collision for violating 21954(a) of the California Vehicle Code,” Sgt. Marty Billdt told the Weekly. “This is section states, ‘Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard.'”
The circumstances of why 53-year-old Watson was in the roadway not near a crosswalk remained unsolved due to a lack of witnesses and video footage, but the evidence warranted clearing the driver of any criminal wrongdoing, Lt. Erik Silacci said.
The investigation concluded in June without police forwarding to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for review due to a lack of probable cause given the evidence in the case, according to Silacci.
The department did not immediately release the driver’s name when asked on Tuesday, citing policy for privacy in situations with no criminal charges. “We don’t necessarily volunteer the name when charges are not filed. It’s obviously traumatic for all of those involved,” said Silacci, who did confirm the driver was a woman with a valid license.
The crash occurred around 7:40 p.m. Feb. 19 when a sedan traveling southbound on Johnson Drive, near the traffic light intersection at Owens Drive, collided with a pedestrian who was walking in the roadway, police said.
The pedestrian — later identified as Watson — was treated by paramedics and then transported to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, where he died from his injuries, according to police.
The driver immediately called 9-1-1 to report the collision, remained at the scene and fully cooperated with investigators, police said at the time. The collision occurred in nighttime visibility, with streetlights functional in the area.
Thanks are in order for not releasing the driver’s name. She knows, her family and friends know, and she will have to live with the tragedy from here on out. There is nothing to be gained for the pedestrian or his family by dragging her name through social media pages. They all need to heal and if we are responsible neighbors, we need to back away and let them do it.