Two arrested in connection to November hit-and-run in Lake County

The investigation into a November hit-and-run in Lake County that left one man dead has ended with the main witness becoming the primary suspect.

Two men were arrested in the last week in connection with the fatal crash and a subsequent cover-up, CHP Sgt. Josh Dye said.

On Nov. 19, CHP received a report of a hit-and-run on Elk Mountain Road. Phillip Harrison, 35, of Potter Valley, told investigators that he found a man lying on the side of the road and, along with a nearby resident, loaded the man into his Dodge Ram 2500 and transported him to the Soda Creek Store in Potter Valley. The victim, identified as James Jobe Carpenter, 57, of Potter Valley, died at the scene.

As the investigation progressed, officials came to believe that it was Harrison who struck Carpenter. Dye said that investigators determined Harrison had been driving a water truck and delivering a load of water to a private residence on Elk Mountain Road. He was met there by Carpenter and another man, Jayson Malson, 30, of Upper Lake. Harrison lost control of his water truck and struck Carpenter, along with Malson’s Subaru, Dye said.

Dye said after transporting Carpenter to the Soda Creek Store, Harrison contacted his friend Kirk Hamilton, 48, of Upper Lake. Hamilton and Harrison then conspired to cover up the fact that Harrison had struck Carpenter, Dye said. Investigators believe Hamilton and Harrison worked together to destroy evidence from the collision, and Hamilton repeatedly visited witnesses, threatening to harm them if they came forward with their knowledge of the collision.

On Dec. 12, officials with the CHP, the Lake County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service searched Hamilton’s property. According to information released by CHP, the search turned up evidence relating to the collision and Hamilton was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cover up the hit-and-run, criminal threats, intimidating a witness and possession of a dirk or dagger. Investigators also determined that Hamilton was prohibited from possessing a loaded firearm, and anticipate filing additional charges.

On Monday, Harrison met with CHP investigators and was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter, conspiracy and concealing evidence.

Harrison and Hamilton are currently held in Lake County jail. Harrison’s bond is set at $100,000 and Hamilton’s at $1 million.

You can reach Staff Writer Andrew Beale at 707-521-5205 or at andrew.beale@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @iambeale.