A Kelseyville man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that took the life of a Lake County restaurateur last week, the CHP said.
James Walter Nightingale, 30, turned himself in to authorities late Wednesday afternoon after his attorney contacted the CHP to arrange his surrender in connection with Friday's death of Zino Mezoui, authorities said.
"He knew that we were looking for him and we were knocking on every door he was going to — and every door we thought he was going to — and he ended up turning himself in," CHP Officer Steven Tanguay said.
Authorities believe Nightingale, a general contractor, was at the wheel of a blue Chevrolet Suburban when it pulled onto Highway 29 near Lower Lake in front of Mezoui's motorcycle, causing Friday's 10:15 a.m. collision.
Mezoui, 53, the owner of Zino's Ristorante and Inn on Soda Bay, was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Suburban left the scene and was later found parked on a property off Siegler Canyon Road.
In the days since, the CHP spent hundreds of hours trying to track him down with the assistance of other police agencies and a helpful public that provided numerous tips, Tanguay said.
Nightingale was booked late Wednesday night into the Lake County Jail for suspicion of felony manslaughter with gross negligence and felony hit and run resulting in death or injury, authorities said. He also had an unrelated, outstanding warrant.
His bail is set at $50,000, authorities said.
Nightingale is to appear in court Friday, Tanguay said.
A celebration of Mezoui's life is to be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9 at Zino's on Soda Bay Road near Kelseyville.
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