Placer DA to review police report of crash that killed Anthony Williams in Rocklin
The Placer County District Attorney’s Office will review the findings of a police investigation into a crash that killed 18-year-old Anthony Williams in Rocklin.
In a statement Friday evening, the DA’s office said it had received Rocklin Police Department’s report of the March 19 and would independently decide if any criminal charges are necessary.
The crash killed Williams, a senior and basketball player at Inderkum High, who was struck by the vehicle on the 6600 block of Lonetree Boulevard near the Blue Oaks Town Center shopping area. Police said Wednesday in a statement announcing the report’s completion that the driver in the collision was not at fault.
“Information about this incident was provided to the District Attorney’s Office and the office is now in receipt of the completed investigation,” the release said. “As with any case submitted to the District Attorney’s Office involving a fatality, the District Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review of the incident to determine any potential criminal liability.”
That driver was Todd Leopold, Placer County’s executive officer. Leopold earlier Friday released a statement about the incident, acknowledging he was the motorist, as well as the loss of Williams and the “great suffering” of his family in the wake of the crash.
“My thoughts and prayers are with them,” Leopold said in the brief message.
It was the first time the administrator had commented publicly about the incident after Rocklin and county officials kept quiet about his involvement for seven weeks.
Days after Williams’ death, The Bee approached the Placer County CEO’s Office and asked Leopold to speak about the incident but was offered no comment by a county spokeswoman.
“Many individuals have questioned why I didn’t provide an official response to media requests for identification of the driver,” Leopold said in his statement. “Unfortunately, I could not comment on the pending investigation and certainly did not want to be perceived, in any way, as attempting to influence the outcome of the Rocklin Police Department’s investigation. At all times, I balance my respect for the investigative process while also providing transparency to you, our valued staff, as well as to our valued public.”
Rocklin police said only persons connected to the incident could obtain a copy of the report under the vehicle code, barring others from requesting it. The Bee has also asked for the report and been rebuffed by police.
“The findings and determinations will be announced publicly once the review is completed,” said prosecutors, led by District Attorney Morgan Gire. “And all involved parties and next of kin have had an opportunity to review the reports and findings.
“As in every case, we must balance the right to privacy of those involved with the public’s interest.”
Rocklin police officials have offered few details about the incident outside of its initial reports. At the time, officers said Williams was “walking in the roadway” when he was struck. He later died at a hospital. Police in March also said the driver involved was cooperating with the investigation.
The investigation has frustrated Williams’ family and friends, who sought a fuller picture in the weeks since the collision. The DA’s Office said completing its review would take time.
“We understand and appreciate the public’s interest in this incident and will work diligently to make our findings available in a timely manner,” the DA’s statement said. “However, those directly involved in the incident and their family and next of kin must have the opportunity to receive and process this information before it is made available to the public.
“We sincerely appreciate the public’s patience in this process.”
