Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch announced Friday that charges have been filed against 81-year-old David Ernest Baskett for his involvement in a fatal traffic collision.
Baskett is charged with one misdemeanor count of Vehicular Manslaughter for the death of Tiffany Ann Peterson at the intersection of Hangar and Skyway in Santa Maria on May 2, 2024.
Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash, reports to the District Attorney’s Office.
Basket, a member of the Santa Maria Public Airport District board of directors and Santa Maria Joint Union High School trustee, was driving a Caterpillar telescoping forklift and preparing to enter Skyway Drive.
A small pickup truck, driven by Peterson’s father, was traveling southbound on Skyway Dr. at Hangar St. when a collision took place with the forklift. Peterson was killed in the collision and her father was injured.
During investigations, the Santa Maria Public Airport District emphasized that it does not appear any district equipment was involved in the tragic incident, and stated Baskett was not acting in any official capacity as a board member.
Following the crash, Baskett had said he would not immediately step down from his elected posts, he does not believe he caused the crash, and was in “full compliance with the rules,” reported the Santa Maria Times.
The community has shown support for the Peterson family through a GoFundMe campaign.
“The pain Tiffany’s family is feeling is beyond comprehension. To enable the family to concentrate on grieving and adjusting to life without their cherished daughter, we are asking for donations to help them in the coming days and months,” the fundraiser states.
Baskett will be arraigned on the complaint in Santa Maria Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. on September 4, 2024, in Department 9.
Officer Neil Medrano led the investigation from the Santa Maria Police Department and Senior Deputy District Attorney Madison Whitmore and Deputy District Attorney Ryan Clausen are leading the prosecution team.
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