No charges in crosswalk death

Charges will not be filed against the motorist who was blinded by sun glare when she stuck and killed an elderly Willows woman in a crosswalk.

Chu Lee, 93, of Willows was struck by a car driven by Rebecca Baker of Willows on Sept. 30 at the intersection of West Wood and Washington Streets.

She sustained major head injuries and died later that night.

A three-month investigation, which included nearly 50 eyewitness statements, concluded with the Willows Police Department recommending a vehicular manslaughter charge against the driver.

However, on Thursday Glenn County District Attorney Robert Holzapfel said that charge would not be filed.

“I found no evidence of negligence on the part of the driver,” Holzapfel said.

Willows police Chief Bill Spears said he had no objections to the district attorney’s decision.

“This was a tragedy for all involved, the Lee family especially, but the driver as well,” Spears said.

Baker, a 25–year-old Willows bank teller, was traveling west on Wood Street on Sept. 30 in a blue 2006 Suzuki Forenza.

Police said Lee was within the marked crosswalk when she was struck.

Nearly two dozen Willows High School football players witnessed the accident.

Many of the players circled protectively around the victim and stood in the middle of the road, blocking traffic as they waited for emergency crews to arrive.

Baker said intense glare from the setting sun prevented her from seeing the victim until the impact.

Officials have been careful to note Baker’s cooperation with the death investigation.

In a previous interview Baker said she was devastated by the incident, but believed she had been driving responsibly.

“I really don’t know what could have been done different,” Baker said in October.