Teen In Fatal DUI Ordered Into Marin Superior Court: Report

NOVATO, CA — A Marin County judge ordered a Rohnert Park teen to appear in Superior Court next month in a case tied to a high-speed DUI crash that killed a fellow teenager, pushing the closely watched case into a new and uncertain phase.

Judge James Chou issued the order Monday during juvenile court proceedings, though he did not say whether the move signals prosecutors intend to try the 17-year-old as an adult. Charges, if any, remain undisclosed under juvenile confidentiality rules, the Press Democrat reported.

The 17-year-old appeared by Zoom wearing an ankle monitor and told the court he lives with his grandmother, according to the Press Democrat.

Much of the hearing centered on her role in ensuring he complies with court and medical obligations. Chou urged her to attend the May 13 hearing, the Press Democrat reported.

The teen was arrested by Novato police after investigators alleged he was driving at a high rate of speed when a vehicle struck a utility pole near San Marin Drive and Simmons Lane about 1 a.m. April 11.

The crash killed 17-year-old Niko Vargas Ortiz, a Rancho Cotate High School student whose death triggered days of mourning across the school community. Four other teens, ages 16 to 18, suffered major injuries and survived.

A makeshift memorial remained at the crash site Monday, the Press Democrat reported, as students and families continued to mark the loss weeks after a student-led vigil honored Vargas Ortiz.

The crash happened hours after Rancho Cotate students took part in the “Every 15 Minutes” program, a DUI awareness event meant to confront teens with the consequences of dangerous driving.

The driver faces changes including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, a felony DUI, and child endangerment stemming from a fatal collision on April 11, Novato police said.

The teens from the Rohnert Park area were driving through Novato when they crashed.