Davis driver accused of intentionally crashing head-on into CHP vehicle pleads not guilty to felony charges
DAVIS — The driver accused of intentionally crashing head-on into an occupied California Highway Patrol vehicle along a Sacramento-area freeway in March pleaded not guilty to felony charges, prosecutors said Tuesday.
The Yolo County District Attorney's Office said on Monday that it filed the following charges against Davis resident Samuel Hanawalt, 33:
- two counts of attempted murder.
- two counts of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm upon a peace officer.
- one count of assault with a deadly weapon.
- two counts of driving on the wrong side of a divided highway resulting in injury or death.
- several enhancements due to injury and the degree of violence.
Hanawalt was arraigned in Yolo County Superior Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is set to reappear in court on May 7 for a preliminary hearing. He is being held without bail.
The collision happened on March 13 along Interstate 80 in the Davis area just west of Sacramento. Dash cam footage released following the collision shows a driver ramming head-on into a CHP vehicle parked along the shoulder.
Two officers were inside the stationary vehicle and were treated at an area hospital for moderate to major injuries.
The wrong-way vehicle briefly went airborne before it rolled over.
Hanawalt also suffered major injuries and was hospitalized until April 19. That's when he was medically cleared and booked into jail.