Posted by Ronnie, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Apr 3, 2012 at 9:30 am

That is awful. There are so many reckless drivers out there, and every once in a while, something horribly tragic happens like this. The story says he was charged with battery on a police officer - what were the details on that? Its confusing, because the story says he turned himself in. Was one of the hit and run victims a police officer?

Posted by throw away the key, a resident of the South of Midtown neighborhood, on Apr 3, 2012 at 9:38 am

Charge him with murder. Lock him up and throw away the key. Society needs to be protected from thugs like this. If you let him out, he will just kill again.

Posted by Kinou, a resident of Menlo Park, on Apr 3, 2012 at 10:34 am

I am writing because I was on my way to the California Ave. farmers market on Sunday morning and there was a guy about 40-45 driving down the wrong side of the street in front of the old court house and jail, heading right towards me for a head-on collision. I laid on my horn and he just waved. It was very scarey. I do not see how someone could make this mistake. I wonder if he was doing it on purpose?

Posted by concerned citizen, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Apr 3, 2012 at 11:22 am

sounds like a case of "stupid drunk".

Posted by musical, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Apr 3, 2012 at 12:47 pm

In many countries it is traditional to drive on the left. Diversity has its costs.

Posted by Hmmm, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Apr 3, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Absolutely heart-breaking. A mistake is one thing, but hitting 2 people, then going on to do even more damage? Unconscionable. And this means that there were 2 local drivers that we know of behaving dangerously, given what the other person just posted.

I was almost hit twice one night last week just driving on campus & nearby. I was also next to a driver who ran a red light, thinking the left hand turn light was for her. You know how sometimes you're out & about & you get a weird feeling that something's just "off" with other drivers? This was one of those nights & my spouse noticed it, too.

We'll have to wait for more details on Rathjen's case as it unfolds.

Posted by mug shot, a resident of the South of Midtown neighborhood, on Apr 3, 2012 at 4:00 pm

Mug shot of the perp from CBS News: Web Link

I assume the scars on his face are the result of these collisions (maybe from the airbag).

Posted by Sunnyvale, a resident of another community, on Apr 3, 2012 at 10:08 pm

What the article leaves out is that this intersection in about 30 yards from Cumberland Elementary School. Thank goodness it was Saturday and there were no kids around!

Posted by mug shot, a resident of the South of Midtown neighborhood, on Apr 4, 2012 at 11:22 pm

Mercury-News says the suspect confessed to intentionally running down 2 pedestrians. They also have a mug shot of the suspect. Web Link

Posted by moi, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Apr 10, 2012 at 1:57 pm

Perhaps if Rathjen is found guilty in a court of law, he could be sentenced to "life" picking up litter next to the jersey barriers on a busy freeway?

Mom always said I had a strong sense of justice.

Posted by murder, a resident of the South of Midtown neighborhood, on Apr 11, 2012 at 3:10 pm

Mr. Rathjen has been charged with murder: Web Link