Point Reyes Light - November 15, 2001

Boy IDs father in hit & run case

By Daniel Freed

Information that surfaced from a 10-year-old boy helped the Marin District Attorney’s Office file felony hit-and-run charges Tuesday against his father, Richard Tanner of Point Reyes Station, for allegedly knocking over a bicyclist with his car last July and leaving the bicyclist convulsing along the roadway on White’s Hill.

Lawyer Ford Greene of San Anselmo said he had almost given up hope on ever finding out who hit him on June 29 and left him bleeding, with a concussion, and suffering a seizure on east side of White’s Hil summit near the entrance to the Henry E. Bothin Youth Camp.

"Felony hit and run. Wow. My world is rocked," said Greene in a letter to The Light. "I was all adjusted to the scenario that I would never know [who hit me]."

Volvo sped by

Greene was training for an upcoming race on his 10-speed bicycle, heading east and downhill on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard when he was struck by an eastbound Volvo. Greene noted that he had being going 46 miles-per-hour in what is a 35 miles-per-hour zone when the Volvo sped past him, crossing the double yellow line.

The Volvo, he said, confronted a dumptruck coming in the other lane, veered back into the correct lane, and struck Greene’s left handlebar. Greene said he would have been killed had he not been wearing a helmet. As it was, the helmet was shattered. Immediately after the accident, the bicyclist said, he went into a grand mal seizure.

Tanner’s son was apparently affected deeply by the incident. "The boy’s behavior changed drastically after the hit and run," said Greene. The boy’s mother, who is divorced from Tanner, noticed the change, Greene said. "After a while, she found out what was wrong. She called the cops."

Suspect admits involvement

When Tanner was contacted by investigators, he made an "admission to being involved in the collision," said California Highway Patrol officer Deven Piazza.

Tanner will be arraigned Nov. 29 in Marin Superior Court. If convicted, the defendant could face up to three years in prison, $10,000 in fines, and restitution.

"If the elements of the crime can be proven, we’re gonna prosecute it vigorously," said assistant district attorney Linda Witong.

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