Novato Man Sentenced To Prison For Driving Into Bicyclists

NOVATO, CA – A Novato man who pleaded guilty to hit-and-run by purposely driving his truck into several bicyclists in October was sentenced to three years in prison Monday in Marin County Superior Court.

Aaron Michael Paff, 21, drove a Dodge Ram truck into the bicyclists on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road west of Hicks Valley Road in unincorporated Marin County on Oct. 7. A passerby captured the collision on a helmet camera.

Four injured bicyclists, who were participating in a charity event, were taken to hospitals but survived, California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew Barclay said. Witnesses said the truck driver appeared to swerve to the right before intentionally driving into the bicyclists, according to the CHP.

Tips from the public about the truck led to the identification of Paff as the driver who fled the scene. The damaged truck was found in Paff's driveway, Barclay said.

Paff was charged with four felony counts of hit-and-run causing injury or death and pleaded guilty to two counts.

He received the maximum, aggravated term and must serve 50 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for release, Deputy District Attorney Aicha Mievis said.

A previous misdemeanor hit-and-run charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement, Mievis said.

Paff's attorney Michael Schroettner said his client apologized to each of the four victims and expressed deep remorse for his actions in a statement to the court.

By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock