Mental Competence Exam Ordered for Hit-and-Run Driver

A Rohnert Park man charged with the hit-and-run of a Penngrove bicyclist who died 10 days later will be examined to determine if he is mentally competent to participate in his defense.

Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Julie Conger suspended criminal proceedings this morning against 68-year-old Robert Ernest Cowart, who will be evaluated by a doctor. Cowart's next court hearing is July 20.

Cowart is charged with felony hit-and-run in the June 8 collision between Cowart's Dodge truck and bicyclist Steve Norwick, 68, on Petaluma Hill Road in Penngrove, Deputy District Attorney Troye Shaffer said.

Norwick, a recently retired Sonoma State University environmental studies professor, was struck from behind, according to the California Highway Patrol. Norwick was in a coma for 10 days and died June 19.

Prosecutors said Friday morning an amended complaint that reflects Norwick's death can be filed against Cowart while criminal proceedings are suspended, but there could not be an arraignment or other court hearings.

Cowart's attorney George Boisseau would not comment on Cowart's mental competence this morning.

"I think it speaks for itself," Boisseau said as Cowart sat in a wheelchair nearby with friends and family members.

During a previous court hearing, Boisseau said Cowart recently suffered a stroke, has an aneurysm in his neck and is hard of hearing.

But video from a surveillance camera at a business in Penngrove showed a Dodge truck driving south through Penngrove shortly after the collision, according to the CHP. Despite now being wheelchair bound, Cowart was somehow able to get out of his truck and walk into a store and purchase milk following the accident.

CHP Officer Robert Powers was off duty and working in front of his house when Cowart's Dodge truck arrived home around 4:30 p.m., CHP officials said.

The truck had right front damage and its right side mirror was missing, and a right side mirror from a Dodge truck was collected earlier at the collision site, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

Powers and a Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety sergeant contacted Cowart, who admitted he was involved in a collision with a bicyclist earlier in the day, Sloat said.

Cowart told the law enforcement officers he didn't believe the bicyclist was injured and he left the scene, Sloat said. He was arrested on June 8 after he was questioned at CHP headquarters in Rohnert Park.

What do you think can be done to make cycling safer on local roads? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

-Bay City News