LAKEPORT >> The case of Robert Wade Hitchcock, 47, will be presented to a jury in March. The decision was reached after a hearing last week.
Hitchcock is charged with the following nine counts: Murder, Two Counts of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter, Vehicular Manslaughter, DUI (Influence Of Drug While Causing Injury), Possession of A Controlled Substance, Possess Controlled Substance Paraphernalia, Driving With Suspended License and Under The Influence Of Controlled Substance.
The charges stem from an incident in September when, according to a report by CHP officer Kyle Zerber, Hitchcock was allegedly driving a 1993 Ford F-150 truck westbound on Main Street in Lower Lake when he struck the victim’s car, pinning her between two vehicles.
The victim was later identified as Nichole Marie Welborn, 40, of Clearlake and officials say she was trying to get into her car, which was parked in front of Barreda’s Lower Lake Feed Store, when she was struck by the Ford F-150 truck. It is unclear whether the victim died at the scene or later from her injuries.
Hitchcock, who was wearing his seatbelt, sustained no injuries in the fatal crash and was taken into police custody after investigators determined he was under the influence.
Judge Stephen Hedstrom presided over the matter with Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones present in court as well. The matter is set for Trial Readiness on Jan. 27, 2017 at 9 a.m. in Department 2 with the Jury Trial set for March 15, 2017 at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced. The defendant is ordered to be present.
