Elderly driver may not be charged in Sebastopol hit-and-run

<p>No criminal charges are likely for an elderly Sebastopol driver who apparently struck and injured a cyclist Friday and then kept on driving, the California Highway Patrol said Monday.</p><p>“It doesn't look like there was any intent on her part to flee the scene intentionally,” said Jon Sloat, a CHP public information officer.</p><p>On Saturday, the CHP was contacted by Eunice Peterson, 91, a Burnside Road resident who said she had read about the incident in The Press Democrat and “she thought she was the one who did it,” Sloat said.</p><p>Investigating officers said it did not appear Peterson knew she hit someone.</p><p>Sally Wong, 43, of Petaluma was knocked off her bike and sustained moderate injuries in the Friday afternoon accident on a rural road southwest of Sebastopol.</p><p>Wong, an avid cyclist, was southbound on Burnside Road, just south of Barnett Valley Road at 1:50 p.m. Friday when she was struck from behind. Her bike helmet was reportedly cracked in the mishap. She was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released.</p><p>Sloat said the CHP did not expect to pursue charges against Peterson, but her driver's license could be revoked if it appears she has eyesight or hearing issues, or cannot drive safely any longer.</p><p>The CHP said there was only minor damage to the right front corner of Peterson's 2004 Toyota Corolla.</p><p>“It looks like the front right corner of the Corolla hit the rear wheel of the bicyclist,” he said. “It could be she drove by, clipped it, sent the cyclist tumbling and wasn't aware,” he said.</p><p>Sloat was uncertain how fast the car was driving when it struck the cyclist, but the speed limit is 35 mph on that stretch of road.</p>