An 80-year-old man will be arraigned next month on a charge of
vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence in the fatality of
fellow Hollister resident Michael Yarbrough in April.
Hollister – An 80-year-old man will be arraigned next month on a charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence in the fatality of fellow Hollister resident Michael Yarbrough in April.
The California Highway Patrol reported that on April 28, Robert Norman Hall made a left turn onto Fry Lane in front of the 36-year-old Yarbrough – who was riding a 2006 Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Shore Road – causing the man to lose control and crash. Yarbrough’s motorcycle slid into the side of Hall’s Ford F-350, and he was flung from the bike, the CHP reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hall was booked into the county jail and released Monday, according to jail records. The San Benito County District Attorney’s Office charged the man Aug. 3 with vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, a felony, and failure to yield at a left turn, a misdemeanor, according to court documents.
Hall could not be reached for comment Tuesday, and court documents indicate he had not hired an attorney. Hall is expected to enter a plea at a court hearing Sept. 11.
Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios, who is leading the prosecution against Hall, said Tuesday he is confident it’s the proper charge because the defendant was not reckless in his actions.
“He flat out slowed down, put his blinker on, made a left-hand turn and didn’t see him,” Palacios said.
If Hall been in a rush to get somewhere, it could have elevated the charge against him, the deputy district attorney said.
There have been three fatalities in San Benito County this year, according to the CHP.
If convicted of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, Hall could face up to one year in jail, according to the California Penal Code.
Palacios said restitution could also be ordered if Hall is convicted.
Yarbrough, born and raised in San Benito County, worked as a business development manager for Indymac Bank, the second largest independent mortgage lender in the nation.
The man was an avid San Jose Sharks fan and a motorcycle rider who loved spending time with his two sons, Michael Jr., 13, and Matthew, 11, his wife Neiche Yarbrough said in May.
