Nextdoor CEO Due In Court On Highway 101 Hit-And-Run Charges
BRISBANE (CBS SF) - The CEO of a San Francisco company was due in court Tuesday on felony hit-and-run charges.
Nirav Tolia is accused of leaving the scene of a Brisbane Highway 101 crash that injured a woman last year.
An unsafe lane change made by Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia on Aug. 4, 2013, caused another motorist to spin out of control and into a cement center divider, where the driver suffered broken bones and injuries, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said when charges were filed earlier this month.
Tolia's vehicle did not strike the other driver's vehicle, but Wagstaffe said Tolia's lane change attempt caused the other vehicle to spin out of control.
San Mateo County prosecutors filed one felony hit and run count against Tolia on May 14th, because after the incident near the Candlestick off ramp of northbound Highway 101, Tolia continued driving and failed to stop to help, Wagstaffe said.
"Clearly this was an accident, there was no malicious intent, but the crime is failing to stay at the scene," Wagstaffe said. "The law does require that one stay on the scene."
He said that in a case like this where there is only property damage and no injury, it would be a misdemeanor charge, but since injury did occur the count becomes a felony.
A felony hit and run charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. Tolia has no criminal record, Wagstaffe said.
TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
