Fatal Hwy 12 Hit-And-Run: Caller Helps ID Car, Person Of Interest

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — California Highway Patrol has identified a person of interest in the fatal hit-and-run of a pedestrian Sunday on state Highway 12 in Kenwood. Theodore Richard Erikson II, 51, of the San Joaquin County community of Acampo, was struck at about 12:10 a.m. Sunday on Highway 12, east of Warm Springs Road. Erikson, whom CHP believes may have been hitchhiking, was pronounced dead at the scene.

There were no witnesses of the crash but CHP investigators found broken glass and windshield wipers at the scene.

On Tuesday, CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat said in a news release that a Kenwood resident contacted the Santa Rosa Area CHP office in Rohnert Park at about 8 p.m. Monday with information regarding a potential suspect and suspect vehicle in the fatal collsion.

"Officers responded and contacted the witness, who stated that he was familiar with a possible suspect and this person’s vehicle had some damage to the front end as described in the media," Sloat said.

The witness led officers to the vehicle, a 2001 Lincoln Continental, which was parked off of Highway 12, Sloat said. Based upon damages to the car, statements obtained and other physical evidence collected, officers believe it was the vehicle involved in the collision, he said.

CHP impounded the Continental and interviewed the owner.

Sloat said investigators have identified a "person of interest" but did not say whether that person was the car's owner.

"Investigators will continue to collect evidence, obtain witness statements and consult with the district attorney’s office prior to releasing further information," Sloat said.

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Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone