For the third time since March 7 when he to two counts of vehicle manslaughter with gross negligence, John Peder Harris' case was pushed forward.
This time, for two and a half months.
He won't be back at Contra Costa County's Superior Court in Martinez facing the judget for his role in a double fatal collision at Sycamore Valley Road and Brookside Drive in November until Sept. 11.
On May 23, the second time Harris' case was set forward, Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Alison Chandler told Danville Patch that Harris introduced a new attorney, Daniel O'Malley, on April 12 and that this sometimes delays the process.
She said, via email, that her office is working toward "a resolution in this case whether it be a trial date or a negotiated disposition."
On Nov. 7, according to a Danville Police investigation, Harris was traveling west on Sycamore Valley Road in a Toyota 4-Runner when he ran a red light at the Brookside Drive intersection, hitting a Dodge Durango and .
Elham Pirdavari, 51, of Danville, was driving the Durango and her mother, Mahin Dowlati, 72, also of Danville, was in the passenger seat. Both women were killed in the accident. A memorial for the two victims is still set up at the northwest corner of the intersection.
. A lengthy investigation by the Danville Police stated that the Walnut Creek man had a medical condition.
That medical condition, Contra Costa Deputy District Attorney Alison Chandler said, was a seizure disorder.
Due to the medical information in the transcripts and the evidence, the grand jury sealed the documents, Chandler said.
As a result, Harris' defense attorney had not seen any of it at the time Harris' not guilty plea, she said.
Whether the seizure disorder had something to do with the collision is still in question, however. Chandler said there are three factors that lead to the Nov. 7 collision.
"The factors include running a red light, speeding, and a seizure disorder,"
Chandler said Harris was going at least 62 mph when the cars collided. She added that Harris' license was valid and there were no restrictions placed on it.
Danville Police Chief Steve Simpkins said the department's investigation showed no extraneous factors, such as texting, cell phone use or alcohol use, were involved in the accident.
“We believe this accident was caused by a negligent decision to drive, which resulted in tragedy,” Simpkins said.
If convicted of these two charges, Harris could face up to seven years and four months in prison. Chandler said the counts could not be merged into each other and Harris would have to serve time for each charge individually.
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