The District Attorney will decide whether to charge a Bakersfield woman with hit-and-run in an accident that involved a BPD motorcycle officer Monday.
Bakersfield police say 39-year-old Lisa Ann Celedon pulled out in front of the officer on the Truxtun extension, forcing him to lay his cycle down to avoid the collision.
Celedon's attorney, David Torres, contends it will be a hard case to prove if it's filed.
The BPD calls it a case of hit-and-run that forced an officer to lay down his bike into a slide, though investigators admit no actual contact took place.
"He slipped to a stop on the roadway. The pickup then fled the scene eastbound on Truxtun," said BPD Sgt. Lance O'Nesky.
Police say Celedon simply turned in front of the motorcycle officer in her truck.
"That's absolutely right. Everybody is asking if there was no 'hit' then how can there be a 'run'? Which is why the law is obviously somewhat overbroad in the sense it asks whether a person knew or should have known," said Torres.
Though it's commonly called hit-and-run, the Vehicle Code simply states a driver involved in an injury or fatal accident shall stop.
Torres suggest some of the blame for this accident may lie somewhere else.
"Was this officer speeding down Truxtun that early in the morning? And, if so, we are going to obtain some evidence that will show whether or not he was speeding," said Torres.
The BPD won't detail why they arrested Celedon, but Torres suggests several tips led to Celedon and her workplace.
Because the case has been submitted to the District Attorney for possible charges, the BPD declined to comment
