The Napa County District Attorney’s Office has announced that charges have been brought against a suspect in connection with the hit-and-run accident that resulted in the death of an elderly woman.
Joseph Carvalho, 43, of Yountville, was charged with “gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, hit and run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person, and driving under the influence of any drug injury causing injury,” according to statements made by prosecutors on Friday. Currently, he is being held without the possibility of bail.
According to the prosecution, Carvalho was operating a vehicle while under the influence of methamphetamine and fentanyl on August 4, when he struck Jackie Rhodes, who was 81 years old and from Napa.
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As she was strolling on the east shoulder of Highway 29, close to the entrance of Charles Krug Winery, Rhodes, who was believed to be an ardent walker, passed away at the scene of the accident. According to the prosecution, Carvalho fled the location without providing any assistance to the victim and did not make any attempt to contact the authorities.
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In addition, Carvalho was charged with “special allegations of fleeing the scene of a crime, great bodily injury to an elderly victim, and personally inflicting great bodily injury on someone,” according to the officers who made the announcement.
On September 11th, a preliminary hearing for Carvalho is scheduled to take place.