Crime & Safety

Hearing Delayed for Man Accused in Roadworker Death

Tatsuhiko Sakamoto faces vehicular manslaughter charges in the death of Connor Penhall in Baldwin Park.

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The prelminary hearing for an Arcadia man accused of mowing down roadworker Connor Penhall while driving drunk on a closed freeway in Baldwin Park was again delayed Monday.

Tatsuhiko Sakamoto, 37, will appear at the Superior Courthouse in Pomona on Dec. 5 at 8:30 a.m.

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Sakamoto is charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and felony drunken driving in the death of Penhall, the son of racing legend and "CHiPs" star Bruce Penhall. Sakamoto's blood alcohol level was reportedly above the legal limit of .08 at the time of the April 4 incident.

The younger Penhall, 21, was operating a concrete saw for a Caltrans subcontractor on the westbound 10 freeway at Francisquito Avenue when Sakamoto allegedly drove a Toyota Rav4 through traffic cones marking the closed section of freeway.

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Penhall was pronounced dead at the scene.

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