Hit and Run Driver Scheduled to Face Judge

A preliminary hearing is scheduled today for an ex-con accused of running down and killing a 20-year-old man walking home from work in Spring Valley, then fleeing.

Jason Michael Palmer, 34, is charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run causing death.

Investigators are trying to determine if Palmer -- who was convicted 13 years ago of misdemeanor DUI and hit-and-run -- was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he allegedly slammed into Jacob Greenwald about 3:45 a.m. on Oct. 27.

At Palmer's arraignment last month, Deputy District Attorney Cally Bright said the defendant has been to prison three times -- for attempted robbery, receiving stolen property and possessing a vehicle that didn't belong to him -- and was recently released from custody. Palmer subsequently was released from some sort of halfway house, according to the prosecutor.

Authorities said Greenwald was walking home on a sidewalk on Campo Road when He was fatally struck by a Toyota 4Runner -- allegedly driven by Palmer. The 4Runner's front license plate was left behind, near the victim's body.

The 4Runner turned up about 9:30 a.m., parked near Interstate 805 and Aero Drive in Serra Mesa. Palmer was spotted in the area and arrested a short time later, according to the California Highway Patrol.

After today's hearing, a judge will decide if enough evidence was presented to order Palmer to stand trial. The defendant faces 20 years in prison if convicted.

-- City News Service