Crime & Safety

City Manager Cleared Of Wrongdoing In Fatal Crash: Police

The city manager was being investigated after he struck and killed two pedestrians in Stockton.

STOCKTON, CA — A preliminary investigation by the Stockton Police Department and the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office into a fatal traffic collision on Thursday indicated the driver, who was identified as Stockton City Manager Johnny Ford, was not at fault.

Ford was driving his personal vehicle when he struck two people on El Dorado Street, near Poplar Street, at about 7:20 p.m., according to the Stockton Police Department.

One of the victims, a 68-year-old man, died after being taken to a hospital.

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The other victim, a 66-year-old man, was also hospitalized with major injuries and remained in critical condition as of Sunday, according to a statement from the police department.

Ford was cooperative with the investigation and passed a breathalyzer test following the collision, according to police.

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Police said the two pedestrians were crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk, which limited Ford's criminal liability.