News digest News digest (January 07, 2004)

Man charged with vehicular manslaughter

A 23-year-old Santa Cruz man has been charged with vehicular manslaughter in the Oct. 5 death of Chad Snow in Palo Alto. Snow, 23, was run over by a Chevrolet Tahoe allegedly driven by William "Billy" Hill after leaving a late-night party.

Hill's charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. Hill is also charged with assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, which carries a sentence of four years.

Hill is presently in jail in Santa Cruz County on other charges and will return to Santa Clara County for arraignment. --Don Kazak
Anti-drinking law now in effect

A new law aimed at curbing teen drinking went into effect Jan. 1. The law, authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, holds parents responsible if teens consume alcohol in their homes and then later get in an auto crash.

"Hopefully, parents will now think twice before allowing youngsters in their home to drink and drive," Simitian said.

The idea for the new law came from a constituent, Donna Lera, a San Carlos resident who serves on the Palo Alto Substance Abuse Council. It was submitted during Simitian's "There Oughta Be a Law" contest. --Don Kazak

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