Suspect arrested in death of golf course worker

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KRON) – San Leandro police say they have arrested a 43-year-old man responsible for the death of a Monarch Bay Golf Course worker who was fatally struck while driving a lawn mower.

Friday, the Alameda County Attorney’s Office filed charges against Jason McDermott, of Oakland, for negligent manslaughter, hit-and-run and other charges.

Police said just after 4 p.m. Monday they responded to a call at the golf course near Fairway and Monarch Bay drives for a report that someone had been injured in a hit-and-run collision. When officers arrived, they found a golf course employee driving a lawn mower, unconscious and suffering from serious injuries. The worker was transported to a local hospital where he eventually died of his injuries.

“On April 20, we were saddened to learn that the collision victim succumbed to his injuries,” San Leandro police said in a statement.

At the scene, officers located a stolen black Ram pickup truck. Several witnesses told police they saw the van moments before the collision driving recklessly in the area. Witnesses also said they saw the occupants of the truck flee.

Police said they were able to locate and arrest the passenger on an outstanding warrant an hour and a half later, several miles from the crash site. The driver, McDermott, was arrested the next day.

“San Leandro Police would like to extend their deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims. We are also grateful that we were able to apprehend the driver in a safe and timely manner,” Captain Ali Khan said.