County Executive Officer Todd Leopold expresses sorrow for collision

Placer County Executive Officer Todd Leopold, the driver in the March 19 collision resulting in the pedestrian death of high school senior Anthony Williams on March 19, emailed a statement on May 13 expressing his sorrow. According to Rocklin Police on March 19, a vehicle struck Williams while he was walking in the Lonetree Boulevard and Adams Drive roadway that night and he died shortly after at Sutter Roseville Medical Center from his injuries. Williams, 18, played basketball for Inderkum High School and the Youth Basketball Academy in Rocklin. He attended school in the Rocklin Unified School District before transferring to Inderkum High School his senior year. The Rocklin Police Department completed its investigation May 10 on the fatal collision. The department's investigation determined that the driver was not at fault and that no criminal charges will be requested after an evidence review and witness accounts, according to a May 11 news release. For weeks, Rocklin Police would not publicly release the driver's name to the media and, in the May 11 news release, referred to Vehicle Code §20012 as the reason why. The code says that investigative reports are only available to the decedent's family, involved parties and attorneys representing the parties in the subsequent court proceedings. For the past few weeks prior to the police department's news release, there was speculation on social media that Leopold was the driver who fatally struck Williams. On May 13, Leopold released a news release about the collision. Leopold's statement read, ""With profound sadness, I can now publicly acknowledge that I was the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident that resulted in the death of Anthony Williams on March 19, 2022. My words and emotions cannot adequately express my profound grief and sadness. I am heartbroken for the loss of this young man and extend my sincere condolences to Mr. Williams' family, friends, and all of those impacted by this tragic accident. Many individuals have questioned why I didn't provide an official response to media requests for identification of the driver. Unfortunately, I could not comment on the pending investigation and certainly did not want to be perceived, in any way, as attempting to influence the outcome of the Rocklin Police Department's investigation. At all times, I balance my respect for the investigative process while also providing transparency to you, our valued staff, as well as to our valued public. Now that the Rocklin Police Department has completed the investigation, I acknowledge the great suffering of Mr. Williams' family, friends and all who have been impacted by the accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Sincerely, Todd Leopold." A few hours after Leopold's statement was released May 13, the Placer County District Attorney's Office emailed a news release stating that the Rocklin collision will be reviewed by the office. The District Attorney's Office will conduct an independent review of the incident to determine any potential criminal liability, the District Attorney's Office news release said, as is the process when there is a fatality. The findings and determinations will be announced publicly once the review is completed and all involved parties and next of kin have had an opportunity to review the reports and findings, according to the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney's Office May 13 news release also stated, "We understand and appreciate the public's interest in this incident and will work diligently to make our findings available in a timely manner. However, those directly involved in the incident and their family and next of kin must have the opportunity to receive and process this information before it is made available to the public. We sincerely appreciate the public's patience in this process."