Death Of Grandmother Hit By Concord Man Evading Police Ruled Accident

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – The death of a Pittsburg grandmother who was hit by a car on a sidewalk in April has been ruled an accident, Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston said Thursday.

On April 19, Pittsburg police officers were trying to stop a car for evasion when the driver, 26-year-old Aroldo Vela-Chavez of Concord, lost control, left the roadway and struck 65-year-old Linda Lee Cochran as she walked along a sidewalk.

Police had tried to pull Vela-Chavez over for speeding on eastbound West Leland Road, but he accelerated and headed into heavy commute traffic. The pursuit was called off for safety reasons, police said.

Less than a mile away, at West Leland and Golf Club roads, Vela-Chavez struck Cochran before speeding off and crashing through a fence at Delta View Golf Course.

Vela-Chavez abandoned the car on the golf course and fled on foot before police arrested him a few blocks away, at around 7:45 a.m.

Cochran was pronounced dead at the scene, Livingston said.

• Previous coverage: Concord Man Faces Murder Charges After Pittsburg Pedestrian Fatality

Vela-Chavez was driving on a suspended license due to a prior DUI arrest, according to police.

Vela-Chavez was charged April 22 with murder, fleeing a police officer and causing serious injury or death as well as vehicular manslaughter.

A coroner's jury reached a verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Tom Watrous.

Livingston convenes such inquests in fatal incidents involving police officers. They are public hearings during which a jury rules on the manner of a person's death, he said.

Jury members determine whether a death was due to accident, suicide, natural causes or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

• Also see: Man Riding ATV Leads Cops On Chase, Hit By Semi-Truck

--Bay City News/Image via Concord Police