SAN DIEGO — Donna Chapman Jacobs, 76, pled not guilty in court after she was accused of hitting 42-year-old Del Mar resident Stephen Debow with her car around 7:15 p.m. Nov. 21, then leaving the scene.
Debow died a few days later from the injuries he received in the hit-and-run, leaving his family, friends and beloved dog Griff to mourn.
Prosecutors say Jacobs knew she hit DeBow because a San Diego Police Department Traffic Division investigation found that Jacobs drove with DeBow on the hood of her car for 65 feet after hitting him. Jacobs is facing one felony charge of hit and run causing death, which carries a penalty of four years in prison. She is also facing one misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter with a penalty of one year in jail.
Jacobs is out on a $100,000 bond.
After the arraignment, Roza Igazarian, the Assistant District Attorney prosecuting the case, said it's a tough situation for everyone involved.
"On both sides, I think it's difficult for them. On the one hand, you have a family that lost their 42-year-old son who was just crossing the street, and on the other hand, you have a 76-year-old defendant."
Jacobs was represented by a public defender during her arraignment. She denies all charges against her and plead not guilty. But Igazarian says the evidence collected by SDPD says otherwise.
"Ms. Jacobs was driving approximately 30 miles per hour when she struck the victim at the unmarked crosswalk and drove with the victim on the hood of her car for approximately 65 feet."
Igazarian also said Jacobs’ age was not considered when facing charges.
"We don't make our charging decisions based on the characteristics of the defendant or the victim," she said. "We look at the facts in front of us and decide whether or not we can proceed with charges. We go to trial if we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt."
Jacobs has been ordered not to drive and must surrender her driver’s license at her next court appearance on December 18th. She'll have a readiness and preliminary hearing before the end of the year.
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