LAKE COUNTY — The man convicted of causing the collision that killed Kelseyville restaurant owner Zino Mezoui is set to be released from prison Monday, the two-year anniversary of the crash.
“It”s just absolutely mind-blowing that somebody could do what he did and be back in the community so soon,” Jan Mezoui, the victim”s widow, said Thursday.
James W. Nightingale, 32, of Kelseyville received a four-year prison sentence for the fatal crash after pleading no contest to felony hit-and-run causing death or injury and lesser counts of vehicular manslaughter and driving on a suspended license because of past DUIs.
Nightingale was eligible for half-time credit.
He is set to be released from the California Correctional Center in Susanville Monday, according Lake County Chief Probation Officer Rob Howe. “I don”t think he spent enough time to even change,” Mezoui said. “I don”t feel that justice was served in this case.”
Nightingale was driving an SUV on Sept. 24, 2010 when he struck Zino Mezoui”s motorcycle on Highway 29 at Seigler Canyon Road in Lower Lake. He left the scene but surrendered to authorities five days later.
Nightingale will be supervised by the Lake County Probation Department under post-release community supervision (PRCS), falling into the category of people who would have been on state parole prior to public safety realignment, Howe said.
“It”s going to be very difficult,” Mezoui said about the prospect of Nightingale returning to Lake County.
Mezoui continues to operate the restaurant her husband founded in Soda Bay. It is now known as Zino”s on the Lake.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh.
