Clearlake man arrested for hitting, killing pedestrian with his vehicle
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LUCERNE, Calif. – Authorities have arrested a Clearlake man who they said intentionally hit and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle.
Thomas Andrew Magee, 62, was taken into custody shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday, less than an hour after the incident took place, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
At 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers were dispatched to the area of Highway 20 and Seventh Avenue in Lucerne, where it was reported that there was a vehicle accident with a pedestrian that had been struck, as Lake County News has reported.
Paulich said that when law enforcement arrived it was determined, based on the scene and witness statements, that Magee, the driver of the vehicle, had intentionally struck the victim and fled the scene. Witnesses also told deputies that Magee and the victim had a dispute over property.
The victim was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, Paulich said.
A “be on the lookout” was put out for the white van that hit the pedestrian. Paulich said that at approximately 1:50 a.m., a CHP officer located and stopped Magee on Highway 53 near Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks.
The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit responded to handle the investigation with the assistance of officers from CHP, Paulich said.
Paulich said Magee was later booked into the Lake County Jail for murder with bail set at $1 million.
According to his booking sheet, Magee – whose occupation is listed as painter – is due to be arraigned on Thursday in Lake County Superior Court.
The identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy will be scheduled for later this week, Paulich said.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Detective Jerry Pfann at 707-262-4236 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..