Yountville Man On Meth, Fentanyl In Fatal Hit And Run: DA

NAPA VALLEY, CA — The Napa County District Attorney's Office has filed charges against a Yountville man in connection with a fatal hit and run Sunday in St. Helena that claimed the life of an 81-year-old Napa woman.

Dominic Joseph Carvalho, 43, of Yountville, has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person, and driving under the influence of any drug causing injury in connection with the death of Jackie Rhodes, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced Friday afternoon.

Carvalho is additionally charged with the special allegations of fleeing the scene of a crime, great bodily injury to an elderly victim, and personally inflicting great bodily injury on someone.

It is alleged that on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 4, Carvalho was driving under the influence of methamphetamine and fentanyl when he struck Rhodes as she walked on the east shoulder of state Highway 29, near the entrance of Charles Krug Winery, leaving her with severe injuries that would eventually result in her death.

It is further alleged that the defendant did not stop to call for help or render first aid to Rhodes and fled the scene of the crime.

Napa County Deputy District Attorney Kayla Richeson was assigned to prosecute the case and requested the court hold Carvalho without bail, pending the outcome.

Napa County Superior Court Judge Scott Young ordered the defendant held without bail.

Public defender Abe Gardner entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and special allegations on behalf of Carvalho during an arraignment hearing Friday.

A preliminary hearing was set for 8:30 a.m., Sept. 11.

The St. Helena Police Department described Rhodes as an avid walker who was walking northbound on the shoulder —bike lane — when she was struck and thrown into a ditch adjacent to the roadway.

"Rhodes was conscious and alert when discovered by pedestrians shortly after the collision," St. Helena police Lt. Justin Tharp said. "Despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to her injuries at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. Our thoughts are with Ms. Rhodes' family and friends as they navigate this profound loss."