Son to stand trial for crash that killed his mother

<p>A Sonoma County Superior Court judge ruled Monday that a Rohnert Park man displayed “outrageous driving” in a 2009 crash that killed his own mother and could be tried on charges that could bring him a 20-year prison sentence if convicted.</p><p>Following a three-hour preliminary hearing Judge Gary Medvigy said there was ample evidence for a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated against Ryan Crowder, 22, who was the driver on Sept. 10 when he crashed on Stony Point Road, a crash that left his mother, 42-year-old Alma Crowder, dead.</p><p>CHP Officer Mark Thomas testified that witnesses reported Crowder swerving and driving up to 70 mph in the family's minivan before colliding with another minivan carrying a woman and her 5-year-old grandson, who were both injured.</p><p>The officer said a blood test revealed levels of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs in Crowder's system and his erratic driving was consistent with someone who was under the influence.</p><p>Crowder was ordered to stand trial on three counts with multiple enhancements. He remained in custody in lieu of $270,000 bail.</p>