Message From MCBC Executive Director West Marin Hit-and-Run Driver to be Sentenced
As we shared recently, Aaron Paff pleaded guilty to two counts of felony hit-and-run, after striking four cyclists with his truck on Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road last October and then fleeing the scene of the crime.
This Monday, July 2, at 1:30 PM, Paff will face sentencing, following his guilty plea. I will be attending the hearing in Marin Superior Courtroom F and invite you to join me.
The sentencing hearing is an opportunity for us to respectfully remind the court, and the general public, that bicyclists deserve to be safe, and feel safe, when riding on public roads. While four men and their families were forever changed by what happened last October in West Marin, the broader cycling community has also been impacted.
At sentencing, the Judge may address Paff for the first time, including the broader effects of his actions. The victims will have the option to address the court, and Paff can speak to his victims, if he chooses.
I won’t say much about the legal considerations surrounding the case, but I can share that Aaron Paff pleaded guilty to the maximum charges ultimately made by the Marin County District Attorney’s Office, and did not ask for a trial. And Spencer Fast, the cyclist most seriously injured in the incident, reports feeling genuinely grateful to the CHP, the DA’s Office, and Marin Superior Court, for how they performed their duties, given existing laws.
Much has been said about conflicts between people on bikes and those in cars. But it’s critical to call out that when things go wrong, cyclists lose.
On-road safety must first be considered from the perspective of vulnerable users; namely bicyclists and pedestrians.
MCBC coordinated with Caltrans toward installing new, bike-friendly signs and other improvements on Highway 1. They will increase safety for cyclists and confirm existing laws for everyone. You can expect to see similar improvements over the coming years on Marin County roads, as well.
We continue to work with law enforcement, public agencies, and elected officials to demand the safety we deserve as bicyclists.
I hope you can join me on Monday afternoon.
Safe cycling,
Jim Elias
Executive Director
