Stockton police have identified City Manager Johnny Ford as the driver involved in a collision last week that killed a pedestrian and say he is not at fault in the crash, according to an updated statement released Sunday afternoon.
The crash occurred around 7:19 p.m. Thursday on north El Dorado Street near Poplar Street. A police sergeant came upon a white SUV stopped at the curb and two men lying in the roadway, according to a release from the Police Department.
A 68-year-old man was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said. A 66-year-old man remains hospitalized in critical condition. Neither of the pedestrians have been publicly identified.
American Medical Response ambulance service and Stockton Fire Department personnel provided first aid at the scene.
According to police, Ford remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators and was driving his personal vehicle when the collision occurred.
Officers reported no signs of impairment by Ford, and a Breathalyzer test showed no presence of alcohol, the department said.
Ford did not respond to requests for comment on Friday after Stocktonia identified that he was the driver.
After reviewing physical evidence, witness statements and analysis from the scene, investigators have preliminarily determined the pedestrians were crossing outside a crosswalk, creating an “immediate hazard.” The intersection where the men were struck does not have marked crosswalks.
The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene and continues to work with police as the investigation remains active, authorities said.
Attempts to reach Ford on Sunday were unsuccessful.
“The investigation indicates that this was a tragic, unforeseeable accident with no criminal liability,” the Police Department said in an updated statement. “It is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can be altered, and how deeply such events affect everyone connected to them.”
Ford was selected by the Stockton City Council as the city manager in a 7-0 vote on Nov. 18. He previously worked for the city, leaving in 2009.