Crime & Safety

Man Involved in Fatal Crash Has Court Date Pushed Back

The Walnut Creek man involved in the fatal crash that left a mother and daughter dead has court date pushed back after arrest on Friday.

The 32-year-old Walnut Creek man that left a mother and daughter dead, was supposed to at the Walnut Creek Superior Court but was picked up by authorities on Friday.

Contra Costa District Attorney Hal Jewett said that John Peder Harris, who had filed against him on Thursday, was arrested Friday after a warrant was put out for his arrest following those charges.

"He was arrested on Friday, posted bail on Saturday and should be in court sometime in March," Jewett said.

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Since Harris posted bail, his court date won't take place until March sometime, Jewett said.

Harris is facing two counts of vehicular manslaughter for a Nov. 7 collision that killed Elham Pirdavari, 51, of Danville, and her mother, Mahin Dowlati, 72, also of Danville.

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An investigation of the collision revealed that Harris, who was driving a Toyota 4-Runner, ran the red light and was speeding, Jewett told Danville Patch on Friday. Harris was traveling westbound on Sycamore Valley Road when he hit the Dodge Durango driven by Pirdavari.

Harris also had a history of epilepsy and wasn't supposed to be driving, Jewett said.

He added the epilepsy could have been an issue, but wouldn't elaborate on the topic.

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 in a release from the Town of Danville on Thursday.

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