Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas was charged Thursday in California with reckless driving, hit and run property damage and driving on a suspended license due to a previous DUI, according to Butte County Superior Court records.
The three misdemeanors stem from an accident June 15. The initial report from the California Highway Patrol stated “alcohol impairment is believed to be a factor in the collision,” but Butte County district attorney Mike Ramsey told The Post no sobriety test or Breathalyzer was administered.
Though sources within the California justice system say the omission of a test to provide the DA’s office with results is rare, there are circumstances when it applies. Ramsey said police did not catch up with Rosas until three hours after the accident. He fled the scene by foot, according to the report filed by CHP.
“They could determine alcohol on his breath, and it was determined he had been drinking,” Ramsey said, “but highway patrol felt that after three hours, they could not determine what his alcohol level was some three hours before, or whether he had been drinking in the meantime. They chose not to do an alcohol test.”
Witnesses indicated Rosas was driving his vehicle north on Highway 99, approaching an intersection controlled by a red light, per the CHP’s incident report. Drivers stopped at the traffic light estimated Rosas was driving 90-100 mph through the red signal and collided with a truck crossing the intersection.
Rosas, 25, tried to drive away but his vehicle was disabled, so he walked off, Ramsey said. Police tracked down Rosas on the street more than a mile from the scene.
“He’s very lucky,” Ramsey said. “A fraction of a second one way or the other, either he or the other person could be dead, at that speed.”
The other driver was “banged up” but did not indicate significant injuries and was not hospitalized, per Ramsey.
Rosas’ arraignment before Judge Michael R. Deems is set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 4 — when the Giants will be practicing for their Sept. 14 season opener — but he does not need to be present for the hearing and can appear through his attorney, Ramsey said.
Rosas’ attorney declined comment when reached by The Post. The Giants declined further comment, leaving their initial statement from last month: “We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with Aldrick.”
Rosas, a 2018 Pro Bowler coming off a down year, was retained as a restricted free agent at the cost of $3.25 million for 2020, but the Giants would not incur any dead salary cap if he is released. His previous DUI reportedly happened in 2016.
