A woman suspected of fatally striking and killing a tow truck driver on Pacific Coast Highway the night of Feb. 11 was booked Thursday on one count of felony hit-and-run and another count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, Sgt. Phillip Brooks of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s station said.
The suspect, 44-year-old Jill Rose, surrendered to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in Malibu on Thursday and posted $50,000 in bail the same day, Brooks said.
Rose is suspected of fatally striking 45-year-old tow truck driver Ron Carver while he assisted a disabled car on the eastbound side of Pacific Coast Highway and John Tyler Drive near Pepperdine University. She allegedly fled the scene and crashed into a parked car two miles east near the Malibu Pier.
Brooks said investigators are awaiting results of toxicology tests to determine whether Rose was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when she allegedly struck Carver and the car at the pier.
Rose was treated at a local hospital for head trauma as a result of the accident, which could affect toxicology results, officials said.
“There may be an issue with [the tests] because as the deputies were discussing with the hospital [the night of the accident], we wanted to get her blood samples before they gave her any pain medication,” Brooks said. “And I don’t think that happened.”
The hospital should, however, know the dosage they gave Rose and be able to provide that to detectives, Brooks said. If she is found to have been under the influence, Brooks said the charges against her could change.
