Teen questioned in hit-and-run case

A 17-year-old Petaluma teen could face mansluaghter charges after walking away from a car accident that killed a Napa man on Aug. 29.

The crash occurred about 4 a.m. on Bodega Avenue west of King Road. The California Highway Patrol said the teen was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Colorado when he crossed over the centerline and struck a 1994 Mazda head-on. The driver of the Mazda, Ubaldo German-Arias Mendoza, 51, was trapped in the car and died at the scene. The teen walked home after the collision, and was contacted by police later in the day, who determined the teen was not impaired at the time of the crash.

He retained an attorney and was then questioned on Sept. 3 by the CHP. Officers declined to arrest the driver because the juvenile justice process often moves quickly, so waiting to make the arrest will give the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office additional time to investigate the incident, according to Office Jon Sloat in a CHP press release.

The teen is not being identified because of his age.