Rohnert Park Man Convicted of Crash Death Charges

A Rohnert Park man was convicted in Sonoma County Superior Court Monday afternoon of charges stemming from a crash that killed an American Canyon teen near Petaluma in July.

Michael Scott Harmon, 41, pleaded guilty Monday to felony hit-and-run causing injury or death, and no contest to felony vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Harmon also admitted to an infraction alleging that he was driving without insurance. He will be sentenced Oct. 22.

Harmon's 1969 Ford F-150 truck ran off of southbound Lakeville Highway south of Old Lakeville Road No. 1 and struck an embankment around 12:15 a.m. on July 2, California Highway Patrol Officer Jon Sloat said.

The truck then swerved into oncoming traffic and struck the driver's side of a northbound 1989 GMC S-15 pickup, Sloat said. The crash killed 17-year-old Jahzeel Dwayne Forsen.

A witness said the Ford driver ran from the scene, and Harmon, the registered owner of the truck, matched the witness' description, Sloat said.

Harmon called the CHP around 10 a.m. Monday. He was brought in for questioning and was arrested.

Deputy District Attorney Jane Murray said Harmon admitted to the hit-and-run and to using drugs and alcohol before the crash.

Harmon is being held without bail in Sonoma County Jail on a probation violation.

-- Bay City News Services

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