CITY NEWS SERVICE
POMONA — An Arcadia man was ordered Wednesday to stand trial for allegedly driving into a construction zone on the San Bernardino (10) Freeway and fatally running down a worker.
Tatsuhiko Sakamoto, 38, is charged with one count each of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing injury and driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury, according to Jane Robison of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Sakamoto is accused of driving a Toyota Rav4 through traffic cones on the westbound freeway at Francisquito Avenue around 11:45 p.m. on April 4, hitting Connor Penhall. The 21-year-old Corona man, who was operating a concrete saw for a Caltrans subcontractor, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim’s father, retired motorcycle racing champion Bruce Penhall, portrayed Officer Bruce Nelson in the final season of the “CHiPs” television series. His son also competed in motorcycle races.
Sakamoto is due back in Pomona Superior Court Dec. 19 for arraignment, Robison said.