A Yolo County judge has ruled that 71-year-old David Alison Walker will stand trial on murder charges in the deaths of two 17-year-old girls who were riding their bicycles in West Sacramento. The ruling, issued Monday, stems from an Aug. 2, 2025 hit-and-run on Jefferson Boulevard near Bevan Road that killed Layla Chrissa Clemons and Jaea Chatman.
Judge's Ruling And Charges
During a hearing this week, the judge found there was probable cause to hold Walker on multiple counts, including murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit-and-run causing death, as reported by KCRA. Prosecutors told the court the complaint also lists charges related to allegedly fleeing the scene and includes a separate vehicle theft allegation. Family members attended the hearing and addressed Walker directly, according to the station.
Prosecutors' Account
Prosecutors said Walker admitted to drinking six to eight ounces of vodka on the night of the crash before driving from Fair Oaks through Sacramento County into Yolo County, where he is accused of striking the two teens, The Sacramento Bee reported. Officials have also said Walker left the scene after the collision, briefly came back, then drove away again, details that prosecutors cited in arguing he should be held without bail.
Defense Claim And The Three‑Foot Law
Walker’s attorneys told the court he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was showing signs of mania, and they argued there is no independent proof of intoxication beyond his own statement, as reported by KCRA. Prosecutors also pointed to California’s three-foot passing rule for drivers overtaking bicyclists, saying Walker failed to leave the required buffer. That rule is set out in Vehicle Code §21760. As explained by California Legislative Information, drivers must give at least three feet of space when passing someone on a bicycle, with higher fines imposed if a violation leads to a collision that injures the cyclist.
Community Reaction And Next Steps
Family members and friends filled the courtroom and have been calling for accountability while demanding safety upgrades along Jefferson Boulevard, local leaders said. West Sacramento’s mayor and community advocates have urged the city to speed up roadway improvements on the stretch where the crash occurred, which currently has no shoulder, no bike lane and limited lighting, according to CBS Sacramento. With the judge’s decision, prosecutors will continue moving the case through Yolo County’s pretrial process as the families press for both a legal outcome and long-term infrastructure changes.
